The Punjab and Haryana High Court (PHHC) faces a backlog of 432,227 pending cases, including 48,386 regular second appeals—some dating back to 1986. Nearly 85% of these unresolved matters have been pending for over a year, highlighting a significant delay in dispensation of justice. The PHHC currently operates with only 51 judges against the sanctioned strength of 85, a 40% shortage compounded by the upcoming retirement of three more judges this year. According to data from the National Judicial Data Grid, 15% of the cases have been in court for less than a year, 18% for one to three years, 8% for three to five years, and 30% for five to ten years. Another 29% remain unresolved for over a decade, with some second appeals stuck in limbo for nearly four decades. Meanwhile, the Sikh Federation UK expressed disappointment with the Labour party for not initiating an inquiry into potential UK and Indian govt. links to the 1984 Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) massacre, known as Operation Bluestar, despite UK PM Keir Starmer’s 2022 promise. The Sikh Federation wrote five times to Foreign Secretary David Lammy without receiving replies, urging the Labour-led govt. to honor its commitment to an independent investigation. Labour’s Lucy Powell acknowledged the need for a thorough investigation and promised to facilitate discussions with relevant ministers. Concurrently, several UK-based Sikh and Hindu groups have criticized British politicians and authorities for referring to perpetrators of child sexual abuse gangs in England as the umbrella term ‘Asian’ to which they also belong. The groups want these grooming rings to be defined ethnically because they largely consist of men from Pakistan.
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Liv Forum provides a digest of analysis on major issues facing Indian (East) Panjab and Sikhs globally.
In accordance with our Privacy Policy, we will never share or sell the information of our subscribers.
