The state’s Director General of Police (DGP) in an affidavit stated that more than 1.45 lakh police cases were still pending in Chhattisgarh out of the cases investigated, even after their closure reports are submitted to the High Court.
The outcome was during the hearing of a petition filed with Chhattisgarh High Court, where the bench had directed DGP to provide a factual status report in a sworn affidavit. The directions have come in response to two separate petitions filed by Yogesh Babu Sharma for delay in completing closure reports, on 10 April and 5 May.
The investigations in these cases have already been completed by police but more than 1,45,000 cases still needed to be sent to the court, on the submission of final closure reports, said the affidavit. The report also showed that authorities were able to file closure reports on only 2,617 cases in the period between May 20 and July 16, implying the poor rate of disposal.
The figures were noted by the High Court in the proceedings and came to worry at the substantial delays in the entire criminal justice system. The awaiting cases point to delays in the official proceedings even after investigations have been completed, leading to an end to the cases.
The High Court will keep a close eye on how the state is tackling the backlog issue. Submission of pending police reports for closure and improvements have been listed for their next hearing Aug. 18, when the court is expected to consider action taken by the police department.