Case backlog eases in HC, swells in lower courts in Nagaland

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 2

The overall pendency of cases at the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB)  declined in 2025, even as Subordinate Courts in Nagaland recorded a rise in backlog, according to official data.

At the High Court level, total pending cases reduced from 883 at the end of 2024 to 826 by December 2025, marking a decline of 57 cases or 6.5%, reflecting improved disposal rates across key categories. 

On the civil side, 767 cases were disposed of against 689 fresh filings, resulting in a net reduction of 78 cases and bringing pendency down from 789 to 711  or by 9.9%, reflected the statistics provided in the Annual Administrative Report 2025-26 of the Department of Law and Justice, Nagaland.

A major contributor was the disposal of WP(C) cases, where 418 cases were cleared against 244 new filings, reducing pendency from 523 to 349 or a sharp decline of 33.3%. Contempt cases also dipped by 14.8%, declining from 54 at the start of 2025 to 46 by year-end. 

However, MAC appeals rose from 21 to 36 while civil revisions increased from 14 to 16.

On the criminal side, disposals (183) fell short of fresh filings (204), leading to an increase in pendency from 94 to 115 cases or an overall rise of 22.3%.

While bail applications showed efficiency, with disposals (60) exceeding filings (58), criminal appeals nearly stagnated in disposal (1 case), causing pendency to rise from 14 to 17.

Criminal revisions also increased (up 66.7%), reinforcing the trend of accumulation in non-routine matters.

In contrast, subordinate courts witnessed a significant rise in overall pendency, increasing from 3,911 cases to 4,363, a jump of 452 cases or 11.6%. 

Civil pending cases rose from 1,397 to 1,683 (up 20.5%), while criminal cases increased from 2,514 to 2,680 (up 6.6%), despite high disposal levels.

The data suggests that institution of cases continues to outpace disposal, particularly in civil matters at the lower judiciary level.

Combined figures show that total pending cases across the High Court and subordinate courts increased from 4,794 in 2024 to 5,159 in 2025, an overall rise of 365 cases or 7.6%.

Meanwhile, a total of 263 cases were pending across the two Family Courts in Nagaland, located in Dimapur and Kohima, while 265 cases were disposed of during the period.

In the lone Fast Track Special Court in Dimapur, established under the POCSO Act, 54 cases remained pending, while 12 cases were disposed of.

Key achievements and expansion plans
Alongside case management improvements, the GHCKB recorded several milestones during the year including launching of mobile application was launched on December 3, 2025.

A MACT Dashboard and portal as well as ‘Display Board: Live Case Proceedings” system, developed in-house was launched in 2025. 

At the district level, the Leave Management System (LMS) was rolled out across courts in Nagaland, and NSTEP (National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes) was implemented statewide on December 2. 

Meanwhile, in response to the creation of new districts -Niuland, Tseminyu, Chümoukedima and Shamator, the GHCKB has initiated multiple steps in coordination with the State Government, the report said.

These include plans for allotment of land for district court buildings and residential units in Niuland, Tseminyu and Shamator, as well infrastructure uplift of the existing court building in Chümoukedima.

Further, steps are underway for the declaration of new judicial districts -Chümoukedima, Niuland, Meluri, Tseminyu and Shamator and reorganisation of sessions divisions, the report noted. 

The proposals also cover the creation of new posts for District & Sessions Judges, Judicial Magistrates and court staff, along with priority staffing for the proposed new High Court establishment.

The Registry is also continuing efforts to expedite completion of the new High Court complex at Meriema, a key long-term infrastructure project, the report added.

Cases Status in Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench