�Hyderabad:�Justice Sujoy Paul, acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, on Sunday stressed that it was the collective duty of citizens, lawmakers, law enforcers, and the judiciary to uphold the Constitution and its values.
Justice Paul was speaking after unfurling the National Flag at the High Court on Republic Day.
He emphasised the essential role of the judiciary and the Constitution in maintaining India’s democratic integrity and safeguarding the human rights. “Our Supreme Court and High Courts have consistently upheld human rights, without which no free system can exist,” Justice Paul stated.
Justice Paul highlighted the importance of the collaboration between Bar and Bench in tackling case backlogs. He expressed optimism that their joint efforts could lead to significant advancements in case management.
Justice Paul said the Telangana High Court had achieved notable progress in 2024 in reducing its pending cases from 2,31,575 at the beginning of last year to 2,29,221 by December 31. During this period, 70,626 new cases were filed, and 72,980 cases were resolved, resulting in a net reduction of 2,354 cases.
This achievement was particularly impressive given the shortage of judges, as the court disposed of 2,334 more cases than the cases filed in a year.
The Telangana Legal Services Authority conducted 3,816 legal awareness programmes and provided legal aid to over 14,000 individuals in 2024. The state excelled in case disposals during two consecutive National Lok Adalats, achieving the highest performance in the nation. Community mediation centers were also established in the Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts, Justice Paul noted.
To address staffing shortages, the High Court outlined its 2025 recruitment plan, and the government allocated Rs 2,580 crore for a new High Court building that will include judges’ quarters and Bar Council facilities.
Justice Paul called on stakeholders to renew their commitment to justice and constitutional values, urging a collective effort to ensure accessible justice for all, particularly for underprivileged communities. The event was attended by judges and legal representatives from across the state.
