Ex-Delhi High Court Judge Details Daily Realities of Indian Courtrooms

Inside the Justice System

A courtroom may appear calm from the visitors' gallery, but proceedings rely on demanding routines involving lengthy files, repeated hearings, witness statements, and careful examination of evidence. Retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Poonam A. Bamba recently discussed the lesser-seen side of the justice system in an interview with *The Better India*, drawing on more than two decades of judicial experience.

High Workloads and Heavy Paperwork

According to Bamba, the daily schedule of a judge can be exceptionally demanding:

• Case Volume: Magistrates in her district could handle between 125 and 150 cases in a day.
• Pendency: She linked a district pendency of approximately 36,000 cases largely to cheque-bouncing disputes.
• Complex Trials: Serious criminal trials, including Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and terror-funding matters, sometimes required continuous evidence recording from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Extensive Documentation: Some cases involved 10,000 to 20,000 documents, requiring careful examination even on days when no final decision was delivered.

Unseen Workforce and Pressures

Court administration depends on several individuals beyond the judge:

• Support Staff: Stenographers often maintain long hours at their desks to record proceedings, requiring careful shift coordination even for short breaks.
• Police Personnel: Officers may work shifts lasting up to 36 hours before appearing as witnesses.
• Emotional and Psychological Strain: Bamba recalled unsettling incidents during her career, such as finding a red thread smeared with sindoor beneath a courtroom table or cut hair inside a case file, illustrating the hidden pressures judges face while handling emotionally charged family and criminal disputes.

Practical Guidance for Citizens

For those navigating the legal system, Bamba offered several recommendations:

• Communication: Litigants should ask their lawyers to explain next steps, reasons for adjournments, and timelines.
• Grievance Redressal: Complaints regarding judicial misconduct or corruption should be directed through appropriate supervisory authorities and High Court vigilance mechanisms, distinguishing between unfavorable orders and actual misconduct.
• Legal Aid: Eligible individuals can seek free legal assistance through the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and state or district institutions, with the NALSA helpline listed as 15100.

To verify original proceedings, citizens can review full context documents and official court orders rather than relying solely on isolated clips or remarks.