Put in place state-of-the-art hybrid hearing facilities in Delhi courts by December 2021: Delhi High Court to AAP govt

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Aam Aadmi party government to ensure that a 'state-of-the-art' system is in place for hybrid hearings in district and trial courts in the national capital by December 2, 2021 (Anil Kumar Hajelay & Ors. Vs. Hon'ble High Court of Delhi)..The order was passed by a Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh after the Delhi government informed the High Court on Tuesday that it has allocated of ₹79.48 crores for providing better hybrid hearing facilities in district courts and the tendering process for the same has been done."The Delhi government has stated in it's reply that they have invited tenders for this process and purchased 101 computers and technical goods. However, some items are still to be purchased. Please assure that the hybrid system is actualized within 3 months from the September 2, 2021. We have taken on record, the position stated in the Status Report," the Court said.The Bench also directed the Delhi government to file a fresh status report enlisting the details of infrastructure, software, hardware, allocation of the amount, charts of items proposed, approved & unapproved items along with all other details of the utilization of funds by the next date of hearing."Let a fresh status report be filed. It should contain the allocation of the amount and a chart of the items proposed in Court. It should also contain a chart of items which have been approved and those which have not been approved," the order said.The Court was hearing petitions filed by practicing lawyers and senior citizens seeking a better system of hybrid hearing at Delhi's district courts and quasi-judicial bodies.On the last date of hearing, the Court had directed the Delhi government to act expeditiously towards providing better infrastructure for virtual hearings at district courts and tribunals in the Capital.The Court had also said that if the government fails to do so, it would have to disclose the details of expenditure incurred by it on the grant of subsidies and public advertisements from April 1.The Court had also called for a fresh status report to be filed in the matter.When the matter was taken up on Tuesday, advocate Shadan Farasat who appeared on behalf of the Delhi government, told the Court that the process of bidding for improving hybrid hearing facilities has been done and installation of new facilities will also be completed soon."₹79.48 crores have been budgeted for this purpose.The bids are already complete. Installation will also be completed soon. A list of 69 bodies carrying out hybrid hearings was also given," Farasat said.Advocate Kajal Chandra, submitted that large number of cases are still being adjourned in district courts."Karkardooma Court for instance, never has network," said Chandra.The Court then asked the Delhi government to give a timeline on when the ramped up facilities will be operation."Give us a timeline when it will be operational. See our last order from September 6. Today, its October 5. So much time has passed since then. You only have to implement it now. We want a state-of the-art hearing system, like the one in Delhi High Court," the Bench said.The Court also asked the government to provide a complete breakdown of the ₹79 crores allocated including network, bandwidth and MBPs details.To this advocate Farasat responded,"All those details, I'll put in the status report. ₹79,4,86,555 is the total amount allocated."The Court then directed the Delhi government to make sure that a 'state-of-the-art' system is in place for hybrid hearings in District Courts by December 2, 2021.Finally, the Court ordered Union of India to file an affidavit mentioning the steps they've taken in this regard.The matter will be heard next on October 18..Advocates Anil Kumar Hajelay and Manashwy Jha appeared in-person. .Provide better virtual hearing facilities for lower courts: Delhi High Court tells Delhi govt