Over 46 lakh cases pending in country's courts: Law minister
The minister said 63,309 cases were disposed of in the higher courts
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman informed the Jatiya Sangsad today (7 July) that more than 46 lakh cases including some 18 lakh civil cases are currently pending in the country's courts.
"A total of 46,39,476 cases including 1,813,263 civil and 2,826,213 criminal cases are currently pending in the country's courts," he said, replying to a question from opposition Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Golam Rasul (Jashore-4).
The minister said 63,309 cases were disposed of in the higher courts while 275,084 cases in the lower courts over the past one year.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
As of 31 March 2026, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court had 38,713 pending cases including 21,652 civil and 17,061 criminal cases.
Besides, the High Court Division had 522,331 pending cases including 101,168 civil and 421,163 criminal cases, he added.
In 2025, the Appellate Division disposed of 7,553 cases while the High Court Division settled 55,756 cases, he said.
The minister further informed the House that lower courts had 40,78,432 pending cases as of 31 March, including 16,90,443 civil and 23,87,989 criminal cases.
Over the past year, the lower courts disposed of 275,084 cases including 49,073 civil and 226,011 criminal cases.
Responding to a question from Jamaat lawmaker Syed Joynul Abedin (Dhaka-4), the law minister said the mandatory mediation process, which is now continues in 20 districts, resulting in significant dispute resolution and reducing the rate of regular case filings by 62.83 percent in those districts.
Since this initiative has gained success, the government plans to gradually expand the mandatory mediation to all districts including Dhaka, he said.
In reply to a question from ruling party lawmaker Shah Md Wares Ali Mamun (Jamalpur-5), the law minister said 3,625 money loan cases were pending in courts across the country as of March 31, 2026.
Responding to a question from Jamaat lawmaker Mahfuza Hannan (Women Seat-41), Asaduzzaman said the Appellate Division currently has five justices including the Chief Justice while the High Court Division has 101 justices.
Besides, 1,964 judges are currently serving against 2,620 sanctioned posts in the lower courts, he added.
