Frightening That Over 7.95 Lakh Execution Petitions Pending Beyond 6 Months: Supreme Court Seeks Mechanism For Speedy Disposal

The Supreme Court recently noted that almost 8 lakh execution petitions pending across the country are more than six months old and described the situation as “very frightening and disappointing”.

“The position as on date appears to be very frightening and disappointing. We say so because as on date 7,95,981 execution petitions are pending across the country which are six months old”, the Court observed.

A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Pankaj Mithal directed all High Court to inform it about the mechanism evolved in order ensure speedy disposal of execution petitions.

“By the next date of hearing i.e. 07.10.2026, each of the High Courts shall let us know in brief as regards the mechanism evolved or the type of directions issued to their respective district judiciaries for effective and speedy disposal of the execution petitions”, the Court ordered.

The Court was monitoring compliance with its directions for time-bound disposal of such cases.

As on October 16, 2025, over 8.82 lakh execution petitions were pending across the country. The Court had then described these figures as highly disappointing and alarming, while calling upon High Courts to ensure disposal within six months and to evolve effective monitoring mechanisms.

In the latest order, the Court noted that despite progress in disposal, the backlog remains high. It noted that the present data shows that 7,95,981 execution petitions are still pending beyond six months.

It noted that from March 6, 2025, when it directed time-bound disposal of execution petitions, till April 10, 2026, a total of 7,69,731 execution petitions have been decided and disposed of. This includes 3,38,685 cases disposed of in the first phase after the March 6, 2025 directions, and a further 4,31,046 cases disposed of after October 16, 2025.

The Court highlighted state-wise figures showing continued pendency. In Uttar Pradesh, 26,943 execution petitions are pending, out of which proceedings in 3,057 matters have been stayed by superior courts.

In Maharashtra, 3,95,960 execution petitions are pending, with 11,966 cases stayed. In West Bengal, out of 28,192 pending execution petitions, proceedings are stayed in 1,008 matters. In Madhya Pradesh, out of 50,579 pending execution petitions, 2,537 matters are under stay.

The Court requested the Chief Justices of the Allahabad High Court, Bombay High Court, Calcutta High Court and Madhya Pradesh High Court to examine cases where proceedings have been stayed and to ensure that such matters are taken up at the earliest so that execution proceedings are not delayed.

As per the latest data received from all High Courts, the following High Courts have the highest number of pending execution petitions in their jurisdiction - Bombay High Court has 3,95,960 execution petitions pending, Karnataka High Court has 1,35,408 pending execution petitions, the Madras High Court has 78,934 execution petitions pending, the Kerala High Court has 73,002 execution petitions pending, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has 61,380 execution petitions pending, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court has 50,579 execution petitions pending.

The data also shows the inflow of fresh execution petitions since the previous order. The following High Courts had the highest inflow of fresh cases in their jurisdiction – In the Bombay High Court, 76,019 fresh execution petitions were filed, the Kerala High Court had 44,067 fresh execution petitions the Karnataka High Court had 27,989 fresh execution petitions, the Punjab and Haryana High Court's fresh filings include 24,503 in Punjab and 26,140 in Haryana. In the Delhi High Court, 20,642 fresh execution petitions were filed. In the Madras High Court, 19,005 fresh execution petitions were filed. In the Madhya Pradesh High Court, 18,446 fresh execution petitions were filed.

The matter has been listed for further progress on October 7, 2026. The Court directed the Registry to forward a copy of the order to all High Courts.

Case no. – Miscellaneous Application Nos. 1889-1891/2025 in C.A. Nos. 3640- 3642/2025

Case Title – Periyammal (Dead) Through LRs & Ors. v. V. Rajamani & Anr.