The Delhi High Court today directed an advocate seeking internet connection in lawyers chambers in district courts through fibre lines to move representation for the same before concerned authorities. (Satnarain Sharma vs UOI).The matter was listed before a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan. .The Petitioner before Court was Advocate Satnarain Sharma, former office bearer at Rohini Bar Association. .The petition was premised on the advocates' right to high-speed internet at a time when courts are functioning virtually on account of COVID-19. .Delhi Govt sanctions over Rs 6 crore to upgrade existing internet connection at District Courts and digitise court records.The counsel for the Petitioner stated that while fibre lines had been laid down till the district courts complex, the same was yet to reach the lawyers chambers. .It was added that MTNL had already provided fibre-connectivity to the chambers in the High Court, free of cost. .Counsel for the Central Government, however, said that whether the connection at High Court chambers was installed free of cost had to be verified. .While acknowledging that the issue raised in the petition was important, the Court asked the Petitioner to approach the High Court on the administrative side for resolution. ."At present, the government has its own priorities..This is not the right time..", the Court remarked as it stated that any expansion of fibre line would result in added expenditure. .In view of the above, the Court permitted the Petitioner to make representation to the concerned authorities on the issue of fibre connection for chambers. .The representation will be decided as per law and financial capability of the authorities, the Court added.
The Delhi High Court today directed an advocate seeking internet connection in lawyers chambers in district courts through fibre lines to move representation for the same before concerned authorities. (Satnarain Sharma vs UOI).The matter was listed before a Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan. .The Petitioner before Court was Advocate Satnarain Sharma, former office bearer at Rohini Bar Association. .The petition was premised on the advocates' right to high-speed internet at a time when courts are functioning virtually on account of COVID-19. .Delhi Govt sanctions over Rs 6 crore to upgrade existing internet connection at District Courts and digitise court records.The counsel for the Petitioner stated that while fibre lines had been laid down till the district courts complex, the same was yet to reach the lawyers chambers. .It was added that MTNL had already provided fibre-connectivity to the chambers in the High Court, free of cost. .Counsel for the Central Government, however, said that whether the connection at High Court chambers was installed free of cost had to be verified. .While acknowledging that the issue raised in the petition was important, the Court asked the Petitioner to approach the High Court on the administrative side for resolution. ."At present, the government has its own priorities..This is not the right time..", the Court remarked as it stated that any expansion of fibre line would result in added expenditure. .In view of the above, the Court permitted the Petitioner to make representation to the concerned authorities on the issue of fibre connection for chambers. .The representation will be decided as per law and financial capability of the authorities, the Court added.