33 lakh files and counting: Allahabad High Court undertakes digitization of its judicial records

One of the oldest courts in the country, the Allahabad High Court, is undertaking the digitization of its case records and management of its files.

Out of the approximately one crore decided case records lying with the Allahabad High Court - which include 70 lakh files running into almost 35 crore pages at the principal seat at Allahabad, and 30 lakh files with close to 15 crore pages at Lucknow Bench - 26,44,596 files at Allahabad and 6,88,368 files at Lucknow have been digitized thus far.

Destruction of the already digitized case files is being undertaken strictly in accordance with the rules framed by the High Court so that all requisite pages are retained in digital format while the original records are safely and securely disposed.

Till date, approximately 2,08,680 original judicial records have been moved for destruction after scanning and due verification of the digitized record, the Registrar General of the High Court has stated in a report.

The report goes on to state,

"Another major issue under silent resolution with the destruction of digitalized of case files/judicial records is the availability of space. For such a huge establishment such as the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, no amount of space seems sufficient for managing the extensive influx of case files and records. It is surely expected that with the destruction of this multitude of digitalized case files/judicial records, it will definitely turn to be a boon addressing the issue of space crunch and as well increase the ease of the staff and learned advocates trying to trace old judicial records for reference which can, on completion of the process be availed, with the click of a button."

The Delhi government recently sanctioned Rs 6 crore for digitization of District Court records.