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The Indian judicial system is notorious for its backlogs. According to the National Judicial Data Grid, more than 72% of cases in the country’s district courts and more than 79% in the high courts are more than a year old.
Given this, an experiment in Bihar in delivering grassroots justice has seen remarkable results.
The state has since 2006 set up a system of village courts, which deal with matters such as land disputes and family feuds. And though the system still faces some lingering problems, such as the influence of class and caste dynamics, data on their disposal is impressive: one 2022 study of 15 such courts found that 80% of the cases filed before them were disposed of within six weeks.
Anuradha Nagaraj reports on the gram kachcheris of Bihar, and on how the state overcame legal hurdles to establish the system over several decades. 

“Proceedings I saw at the gram kachcheris had a distinct sense of urgency, equity and order, unlike any other courtroom I have been in,” Nagaraj said. “The quiet confidence of the women jurors as they discussed domestic violence, wages and just shared a laugh was something that particularly stayed with me.”

She added, “It made me reflect on the intent and effort required to keep systems inclusive and running.”
You can read the story here.

The unlikely success of a novel justice delivery system in Bihar

Despite lingering problems, the state’s village courts have an impressive disposal rate, and help settle a wide range of local disputes.

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Ajay Krishnan

Senior Editor