ICT enabled courts

Big generational changes are occurring in the legal system--courts of India. We have ICT enabled judiciary for our Supreme Court and 21 High Courts in Delhi State as we have now e-courts. We will be making ICT enabled district courts and bring ICT to all villages of India. We are computerizing all litigation procedures, the e filing, the trail process and in all stages of delivering justice. Due to gaps in the legal system of courts, we are actually denying justice to the people. Lakhs of under trials are locked up in prisons waiting for their cases to come up. There are 3 crore pending cases in the Indian courts.854 crores Rupees will be spent on computerization of Indian courts in 2500 court complexes. Digital interconnectivity will be made, from taluk court to apex court (Supreme Court)  The many communities of lawyers are resisting change; they want to hold on to the older system so that they can keep their off-record fields of power and influence to themselves. But when the government has brought in the change, and had decided on ICT enabled judiciary, lawyers do not have a say. If lawyers have problem in using laptops, they can use trained clerks or data entry operators; but resisting change is not correct/proper. Since February, 2007, e filing had begun. In the first phase of implementation, computer centers were set up in 2500 court premises, and 15000 judicial officers were provided with laptops. From 2007-9, 13000 Judges were trained; 45000 court staff have been trained too. 45000 laptops were provided to the courts. Some lawyers argue that the actual litigants do not have no access to computers. But by using a simple phone, they can learn of the status of their case. We have Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) installed in the court premises enabling any person to know the position of his or her case on telephone without using the internet. E-kiosks are available in the vicinity of courts. When 11% of India’s people use the internet, anyone can access the courts or ask one who has computer awareness to get needed information. Even regional language translations are available on line. Some argue that if  computerization will not work or if the computer develops problems, then what? We have installed computers which come with five year warranty, and a person will come within 24 to 48 hours to repair if there is problem. Day to day functions of the court will be streamlined. Each court will have a website; there will be daily generation of orders- when the judge signs the order. Court diary will be generated daily. Case status is available on line. There is generation of automated cause list. Preparation and deliverance of decree to parties is sent by email. Copies of judgment are made public by publishing in the web. To start the litigation process registration of the case is done on computer by auto generated case number. Storing the documentary evidence is done by scanning and by digitally capturing in data base. Calculation of court fee is done by computer. Release of order by digital signature will be done at third phase, now physically the order is signed. Filing of written statement by defendant has to be done within 30 days. Thus a national grid will be made to provide key information. This will help judicial administration, and reduce pending cases. This will provide transparent clean clear information to all. In Rajasthan state and in Delhi, e-court project have worked out well.90% implementation has taken place in Delhi and it is working very well. Law in books will turn into Law in action. With the completion of Phase 3, the gateways between courts, public agencies and departments will be created. Law will serve the people, and the legal system will be simplified. Now the Indian people will get justice.