Criminal cases in Gujarat trial courts surge by 3.44 lakh in one year, 2nd steepest rise in India

Gujarat’s trial courts have recorded a steep rise in criminal litigation over the past year, with figures showing an increase of 3.44 lakh criminal cases between December 2024 and December 1, 2025 — a jump that reflects the state’s rising crime chart. In contrast, civil cases have seen a decline during the same period.

According to data tabled in Parliament, criminal cases pending in Gujarat’s trial courts stood at 12,36,524 on December 1, 2024. By December 1 this year, the number had climbed to 16,08,271.

Gujarat now ranks second in the country for the highest rise in criminal case pendency, behind West Bengal (4.33 lakh) and ahead of Maharashtra (3.37 lakh).

Pending cases in Gujarat High Court (by Dec 1, 2025)

2021: 155006

2022: 105625

2023:167825

2024: 171948

2025: 175092

Pending cases in lower courts

2021: 1952262

2022: 1725939

2023: 1547276

2024: 1528794

2025: 1947262

The numbers translate to an average of 1,028 new criminal cases being added every single day in the state’s trial courts.

Long-pending cases continue to be a concern. Gujarat has 27 criminal cases pending for 30–40 years and one case pending for 40–50 years, part of the nationwide pile-up of 47,769 criminal cases awaiting disposal for over three decades.

Civil matters, meanwhile, have moved in the opposite direction. Civil case pendency in Gujarat dropped from 3,54,727 (December 1, 2024) to 3,39,045 this year — a reduction of 15,682 cases. Even so, the state still has 156 civil cases pending for 30–40 years and six cases pending for 40–50 years, mirroring a national backlog where 4,127 civil cases are stuck for over four decades.