Over 8.8 Lakh Execution Petitions Pending Nationwide, Says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the High Courts for failing to act on its earlier directions to clear pending execution petitions, noting that over 8.8 lakh cases are still awaiting disposal across the country.

A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Pankaj Mithal expressed serious concern over the delay, stating that such pendency undermines the purpose of justice itself. “If a decree takes years to be executed, it becomes meaningless and turns justice into a mockery,” the Court observed in its order dated October 16, 2025.

While the Court was informed that around 3.38 lakh petitions have been disposed of since March 2025, the remaining backlog continues to be “alarming.”

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had directed all High Courts to gather data from district courts and ensure that execution petitions are resolved within six months. The Court had further warned that judicial officers failing to comply would be answerable to their respective High Courts on the administrative side.

The new data presented before the Bench revealed significant pendency across several states.

• Maharashtra topped the list with over 3.4 lakh pending petitions.
• Tamil Nadu followed with 86,000, and Kerala had nearly 83,000 pending cases.
• Andhra Pradesh recorded more than 68,000, while Uttar Pradesh reported over 27,000.

The Bench noted that Karnataka High Court had not submitted its report despite earlier directions. The Court has now asked its Registrar General to provide an explanation within two weeks, warning that such non-compliance cannot be ignored.

The Supreme Court also extended the deadline for compliance by another six months, directing all High Courts to not only monitor the progress of district courts but also create effective procedures to ensure timely execution of decrees.

The Bench has fixed the next hearing for April 10, 2026, by which all High Courts must submit updated reports on pending and disposed petitions.

The Court emphasised once again that justice is incomplete until the decree is enforced, and delay in execution amounts to “travesty of justice.”