Second phase of e-courts gets cabinet approval

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The cabinet today gave its approval for the second phase of e-courts Mission Mode Project for better management of the court functions, and make citizens digitally empowered.

The project envisages enhanced ICT enablement of courts through universal computerisation, use of cloud computing, digitization of case records and enhanced availability of e-services through e-filing, e-payment gateways and mobile applications, etc.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1670 crore.

What happened in phase one?

In Phase I of the project more than 13000 District and Subordinate courts have been computerised and case information linked to the respective District court websites.

These courts are now providing online eServices such as cause lists, case status and judgments, to litigants and public through the e-courts portal also. Case status information in respect of over 5 crore pending and decided cases and more than one crore orders/ judgments are available online. Litigants and lawyers are also provided services through Judicial Service Centre at the court complexes.

More than 24 crore transactions have already been recorded regarding online access of court information.

What to expect from the phase two?

The Phase II of the e-courts project would also help in the automation of workflow management in courts thereby contributing to better court and case management.

Touch screen based Kiosks and Video Conferencing facility will be installed at all Court Complexes and corresponding jails.

Hand held process service devices will be provided to process servers to ensure transparent and time bound delivery of court notices and summons.

Also, the use of solar energy has been proposed at 5 percent of the court complexes on a pilot basis.