Tender Floated To Procure Equipment For Hybrid Hearing Infrastructure In District Courts: Delhi Govt Informs High Court

The Delhi Government on Wednesday informed the Delhi High Court that tender has been floated yesterday for procurement of equipments for providing hybrid hearings infrastructure in all district courts in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed that an affidavit be filed by a competent authority of Public Works Department (PWD) indicating as to within what minimum time period the tender can be finalized and procurement of equipments can be ensured.

Dr. Amit George, counsel appearing for the Delhi High Court, informed that the Registry has received estimates from PWD in respect of networking and LAN infrastructure on March 17.

He submitted that appropriate steps will be taken in this regard.

The matter will now be heard on April 09.

Last year, the Court had directed the Delhi Government to expedite grant of financial sanction of Rs. 387 crores and to implement on priority basis the project for having hybrid hearing in the 691 Courts

Previously, observing that citizens' right of access to justice has been gravely hampered due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Court had directed the Delhi Government to take expeditious steps for providing infrastructure and other facilities for hybrid hearings in district courts and quasi-judicial bodies.

“Access to justice is the right which is available to all citizens and on account of ongoing pandemic, the same has been gravely hampered. The district courts as well as consumer forums/ tribunals are not being able to function efficiently due to lack of infrastructure and other facilities. The arrears of cases are mounting, people have to wait for redressal of their grievances," the bench had said.

Case Title: ANIL KUMAR HAJELAY & ORS. v. HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF DELHI