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It gives me immense pleasure to report that “VIDHI SEVA EVAM SAMAJIK UTTHAN SAMITI” has successfully organized its very first webinar on the topic “Working of E-Court-A Way Forward” on 7th of June, 2020. There were around 100 participants who participated.
The E-Courts project was conceptualized in the year, 2005 on the basis of the National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary and the plan was submitted by e-Committee (Supreme Court of India), with a vision to transform the Indian Judiciary by enabling ICT in Courts. The current situation in India has given us the chance to take the challenge as an opportunity to make digital system in justice delivery mechanism more robust in nature.
Looking into the broad aspect of the topic we invited three guests who hold expertise in their particular domain. The session was started by the Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Tandon, Former Judge of Uttrakhand High Court. He spoke on the “viability of E- Courts in Indian context and will the adoption of E-Courts will Strengthen the Indian Judiciary?” He was of the mixed opinion that adopting E-Courts have both pros and cons. He mentioned that the traditional lawyers and judges are not well acquainted with the technology and henceforth, the training of lawyers is an utmost need for proper E-Court management. He added that technology is more friendly and attractive for young lawyers. He further added that virtual court hearings is a sort of a formula which is a substitute of open court hearing but it can never replace the physical courts hearing.
The session was followed by Advocate Lalit Belwal, Former president of Bar Association of Uttrakhand High Court. He Enlighted the participants on the topic that should “Working of E- Courts should be a Rule or an Exception?”. He made few relevant points as to when we are thinking of an idea of E-Courts , one must keep in mind the accessibility of technology in court process. For that he quoted the data that “Internet density in India is around 52% but only 25% have access to smart phones”. He added that current infrastructure is hampering the idea of access to justice. He further added virtually hearing matrimonial cases, POSCO related cases, will not serve the justice in an appropriate manner. He pointed that public as a stake holder keeps check and balance and is the critical observer but, while the cases being heard in E-Courts will exclude their engagement and by this question of lack of confidence in fairness of justice delivery system will arise. The issue of poor Connectivity of internet was also raised by him.
The session was concluded by Anita Yadav, Assistant professor of Law, Campus Law Center , Delhi. She spoke on the topic “E- education in Rural Areas”. She raised question on how e-education will solve the purpose when major chunk of the students do not have access to internet. She stated that non- accessibility of internet is bringing students into depression. She mentioned about the major digital divide in rural and urban areas. She reflected the data that only 15% population at rural areas has access to internet. She mentioned few suggestions as well that includes capacity building program for teachers, necessity to introspect the nature on online platforms, need to adopt inclusive approach, etc.
The webinar was altogether an informative approach in highlighting the angle of “Working of E-Courts”. At the end I would conclude by quoting a statement by Justice DY Chandrachud “What I perceive for the future is a healthy mix between the use of technology of E-Courts hearing in the areas where we believe technology is well- suited but, we must necessary have open courts hearing also, which is the spine of our system.
THANK YOU!
BY,
PRIYANKA SINGH
LLM- NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, ODISHA
Truly a very informative webinar in this current situation of lockdown when colleges are closed it is a very good thing that organization like Vidhi Seva are taking initiative of providing knowledge and enlightening students.
Thank you so much.
Such a brilliant analysis of critically important issue.
Thank You so much