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In a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Anurag Thakur, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, emphasized that the eCourts Mission Mode Project is at the forefront of enhancing access to justice through technological advancements, aligning perfectly with the Prime Minister's vision of "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas."
The eCourts Project has been under implementation since 2007 as a part of the National eGovernance Plan, with the successful conclusion of Phase II in 2023. Now, Phase III, commencing in 2023, is geared towards promoting 'access and inclusion' across India.
Digital Transformation: Phase III aims to establish a judicial system characterized by digital, online, and paperless courts. This entails the digitization of all court records, including legacy data, and the universalization of e-filing and e-payments through the saturation of court complexes with e-Sewa Kendras.
Smart Decision-Making: The project intends to introduce intelligent smart systems that facilitate data-driven decision-making for judges and registries, streamlining the scheduling and prioritization of cases.
Unified Technology Platform: The primary goal of Phase III is to create a unified technology platform that seamlessly connects the courts, litigants, and other stakeholders, making the judiciary more accessible, reliable, and transparent.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of eCourts Phase III is a joint endeavor involving the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, and the eCommittee of the Supreme Court of India. The project will be executed in a decentralized manner through the respective High Courts, with the aim of making the judicial system more accessible, affordable, reliable, predictable, and transparent for all stakeholders.
The government has taken steps to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that citizens without access to technology can still access judicial services through eSewa Kendras. Moreover, the digitization of court records aligns with environmental sustainability goals by reducing paper-based filings and minimizing physical document movement.
The expansion of eFiling is expected to streamline the process of submitting documents, reducing human errors as documents undergo automatic checks. This shift towards digitization also allows for the virtual participation of witnesses, judges, and other stakeholders, resulting in cost savings associated with court proceedings, such as travel expenses. Furthermore, court fees, fines, and penalties can be conveniently paid from anywhere at any time.
The incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, including AI and its subsets such as Machine Learning (ML), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Natural Language Processing (NLP), promises to enhance user experience and create a "smart" ecosystem. Registries will see reduced data entry requirements and minimal file scrutiny, facilitating better decision-making and policy planning. This advanced system will enable smart scheduling and data-driven decisions for judges and registries, enhancing predictability and optimizing the capacity of judges and lawyers.
eCourts Phase III seeks to expand the scope of virtual courts beyond adjudicating traffic violations, eliminating the need for litigants or lawyers to physically appear in court. This expansion promises enhanced accuracy and transparency in court proceedings.
The project places significant emphasis on the automated delivery of court summons by expanding the NSTEP (National Serving and Tracking of Electronic Processes), thus substantially reducing trial delays.
By incorporating emerging technologies into court processes, eCourts Phase III aims to make the judicial system more efficient and effective, ultimately contributing significantly to the reduction of pending cases.
The Union Cabinet's approval of eCourts Phase III with a substantial financial allocation reflects the government's commitment to transforming India's judicial system into a more accessible, efficient, and technologically advanced entity. This endeavour aligns perfectly with the overarching vision of "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas," as it seeks to ensure justice for all and bridge the digital divide in the pursuit of a more inclusive society.
Refer the link for full press release:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1956919
