Decree Of Despair: SC Pulls Up High Courts As 8.8 Lakh Cases Face 'Travesty Of Justice' In Execution Backlog

Last Updated:October 19, 2025, 05:16 IST

The matter is now posted for further hearing in April 2026, where the Supreme Court will review the progress reports and compliance from all High Courts

The apex court was monitoring compliance with its earlier order from March 2025. File pic/PTI

The Supreme Court of India has expressed profound concern over the staggering pendency of over 8.82 lakh execution petitions in district courts across the country, labelling the situation as “alarming" and “highly disappointing". Execution petitions are crucial legal mechanisms for enforcing court decrees, and their prolonged delay often means that successful litigants are deprived of the fruits of their hard-fought legal victories, effectively leading to a travesty of justice.

A bench, led by Justice JB Pardiwala, was monitoring compliance with its earlier order from March 2025, which had directed all High Courts to ensure the disposal of execution cases within a strict six-month deadline. Despite this directive, the consolidated data submitted to the apex court revealed the massive backlog, though the court noted that 3,38,685 petitions were disposed of in the last six months.

The court reiterated the sentiment expressed in its main judgment: “After the decree is passed, if it is going to take years and years to execute the decree, then it makes no sense and would be nothing short of travesty of justice."

Facts and Context of the Pendency

Total Pendency: As of the latest report, 8,82,578 execution petitions are pending nationwide in the district judiciary.

Highest Pendency Jurisdictions: The states reporting the highest number of pending execution petitions include Bombay (3.41 lakh), Madras (86,148), Kerala (82,997), and Andhra Pradesh (68,137).

Previous Directives: The Supreme Court has previously issued detailed guidelines, notably in the Rahul S. Shah v. Jinendra Kumar Gandhi case (2021), mandating the disposal of execution proceedings within six months from the date of filing. The massive backlog shows that these directives are not being followed effectively.

Six-Month Extension

In its recent order, the Supreme Court has granted a further six-month extension to all High Courts. They have been explicitly directed to ensure effective follow-up with their respective district judiciary, emphasising the need to evolve efficient procedures and monitoring mechanisms for the expeditious disposal of these matters. The court also expressed displeasure with the Karnataka High Court for failing to furnish the necessary data as previously directed.

The matter is now posted for further hearing in April 2026, where the Supreme Court will review the progress reports and compliance from all High Courts. This judicial intervention underscores the critical need to streamline the process of decree enforcement to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the justice delivery system.

Pathikrit Sen Gupta

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ...Read More

Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via ...

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