New Delhi: Law Ministry officials said that funds have been released to set up ‘video conference cabins’ in 2,506 court complexes in India to promote online hearings in lower courts. Officials said that while Rs 5.21 crore was released in September for setting up video conference cabins, Rs 28.886 crore was released in October to purchase additional video conference equipment including hardware, cables, and monitors.
The fund was released by the e-committee of the Supreme Court and the Justice Department of the Ministry of Law. There are 3,288 court complexes in India with thousands of subordinate courts. Funds for 2,506 court complexes have been released for setting up video conference cabins. Larger court complexes with more courtrooms will get more cabins than smaller complexes. In this regard, an official said that while the purchase (of equipment) has been completed, the process of installing them is in progress.
According to data compiled by the Law Ministry, the High Court and Subordinate Courts in the country have heard over 49.67 lakh cases online from October 28 to October 28, the day of the nationwide lockdown implemented for the prevention of coronavirus infection. The government started gradually easing the restrictions from June 8 as part of the ‘unlock’ process.
