"Thousands of cases pending": Delhi High Court asks Central government to establish more DRTs in national capital

The Delhi High Court recently expressed concern over the dismal state of infrastructure and pendency of cases at Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) in the national capital observing that they looked like a ‘dump of files and records’ [Indu Kapoor v AU Small Finance Bank & Anr]..A division bench of Justices Najmi Waziri and Gaurang Kanth examined the pictures of some the DRTs and noted that they were not conducive for adjudication of cases.The Court, therefore, directed the Registrar of Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT) to file a status report regarding renovation work or recreation of court rooms being carried at the DRTs.“The report shall also address: (i) the issue of storage/disposal records of disposed-of cases after digitisation of the same; (ii) the e-filing of petitions,” the Court said. .On the issue of huge pendency of cases, the Court directed the Ministry of Finance to look into the issue and consider augmenting the number of DRTs.The bench further asked the ministry to consider the concerns regarding the provision of court rooms and facilities amenable for efficient conduct of proceedings."Let the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services look into the matter apropos the issues highlighted and the concerns of the court and litigants, with respect to i) the provision of court rooms and facilities amenable for efficient conduct of court proceedings and ii) for augmentation of the number of Tribunals in the context of large pendency of cases and large quantum of monies lying locked in litigation," the Court directed.It directed that a comprehensive affidavit be filed by a joint secretary with prior approval of the secretary of the said department/ministry..The matter will now be considered on February 7..Advocate Sanjeev Bhandari appeared as amicus curiae.Advocates Vishnu Vaysanal and Samrendra Kumar appeared for Respondent.Union government was represented by Central government standing counsel Kirtiman Singh and advocate Vidhi Jain..[Read Order]