Imtiyaz Ahmad v. The State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors.
Background
This order does not decide the main case. The criminal appeals arose from High Court orders that stayed criminal proceedings for years at a stretch. The Court used the occasion to examine the wider problem of judicial vacancies and case pendency in subordinate courts across the country.
Decision Breakdown
This is not a final decision on the main case. The Court made the Union Government a party, reviewed Law Commission reports and laid down an interim method for computing the judge strength required in the district judiciary. It directed that the criminal appeals themselves be listed for disposal before the appropriate bench in the third week of July 2017.
Lesson Learnt
There is no final ruling yet on the appellant's own criminal appeals. The order sets nationwide directions on judge strength and the management of pending cases in the district judiciary.