Image Credits-Hindustan Times
In a significant move towards modernizing India’s judicial system, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud is set to inaugurate the country’s first fully digital court dedicated to cases under the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act at the Kerala High Court. This landmark event, scheduled for August 18, 2024, marks a major step forward in leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the judiciary.
The digital court will exclusively handle cases related to the NI Act, which primarily deals with issues such as cheque bounce cases, a significant portion of the Indian legal system’s workload. The introduction of a digital court is expected to expedite the resolution of such cases, reduce the burden on the conventional courts, and provide litigants with a more streamlined and transparent process.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the importance of integrating technology into the judiciary to improve the delivery of justice. “The launch of the first digital court is a momentous occasion that reflects our commitment to making justice more accessible and efficient through the use of technology,” he said. “This initiative will not only speed up the adjudication process but also ensure greater transparency and convenience for all stakeholders.”
The Kerala High Court, known for its progressive stance on judicial reforms, will also see the launch of several other projects aimed at modernizing its operations. These include the introduction of e-filing systems, virtual courtrooms, and digital case management tools, all designed to enhance the overall efficiency of the court system.
Justice S. Manikumar, Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, expressed his optimism about the impact of these innovations. “The digital court and other projects will revolutionize how justice is delivered in Kerala, setting a benchmark for other states to follow,” he remarked.
The inauguration of the digital court is expected to be a harbinger of more such initiatives across the country, as India continues to embrace digital transformation in its legal system.