'Requested Telecom Minister To Ask Telecom Companies To Facilitate Uninterrupted Internet For Lawyers In Rural Areas': CJI Ramana

The Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday stated that he has requested the Telecom Minister Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad to call Telecom Companies to provide uninterrupted internet facilities to lawyers in rural areas to enable them to address the Courts.

According to CJI, some facilities can be provided in Taluk Centres and district Centres so lawyers can go there and can use the system, particularly uninterrupted internet.

CJI stated that while he hopes that the matter is taken up and his request is considered, he will request the Telecom Companies himself in case it doesn't.

According to CJI, the request was made pursuant to his recent virtual interaction with all Chief Justices of High Courts continuously for two days where suggestions were made regarding connectivity issue especially in rural areas. He added that the Chief Justices also made suggestions for vaccination of Lawyer, Judges, Court staff and their families.

"Initially I thought of calling these Telecom Companies and request them to boost these systems in Rural areas and providing some Centres exclusively to provide facilities to Rural Lawyers to address the Courts." CJI said

CJI Ramana added "But instead of me, I requested the Telecom Minister Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad to call these Telecom Companies. They can provide some facilities in Taluk Centres and District Centres so lawyers can come there and they can use the system, particularly uninterrupted internet.This request I have made, let me hope they take up the matter otherwise i will request the Telecom Companies myself."

While emphasising on the digital divide that exists especially in Rural areas, CJI Ramana said that if lawyers with no facilities of technology are not taken care of, they will be put of system.

"If you do not take care of these lawyers who do not have these facilities of the technology, generational lawyers of rural areas will be out of the system, because they cannot afford, they are not getting briefs, they are not getting money, and in addition to that they don't have advantage of the technology. So you are completely taking these lawyers from the stream, which is very dangerous." CJI said.

The observation was made by CJI during a panel discussion being conducted at the release of Former Supreme Court Justice RV Raveendran's Book titled 'Anomalies in Law & Justice'.

The Panel discussion had as panellists legal stalwarts like former CJI's Justice MN Venkatachaliah and Justice RC Lahoti and former Supreme Court Judges Justice BN Srikrishna and Justice Raveendran.

CJI Ramana even though in attendance of the Panel Discussion, refrained from expressing anything himself.

"I will be present for the entire discussion which i will watch, but i don't want to express anything. I will hear all your views and note down. It is a very rare opportunity to have such stalwarts here. All are great people. I must listen to all of you." CJI Ramana had said.

During the discussion regarding relevance of virtual hearings and scope of continued hybrid hearing, CJI Ramana also informed the Panel that the Supreme Court had taken taken up 92,312 hearings since the pandemic.

"I want to say, for sake of clearing and giving information, my Secretary General has furnished this information that, after this Pandemic, we have worked 287 days of hearing at average of 11 Benches and taken up 92,312 case hearings have taken place." CJI said.

With regards to Justice Raveendran's book, CJI Ramana said that the Book's title is an attempt to explain to the lay man that the law and the legal system is still evolving and it requires more critical thinking to resolve issues that have persisted in the system for a long time.

He added that with this book, Justice Raveendran undertakes to explain in simple terms various deficiencies in the law which are required to be overcome so the common man doesn't loose faith in Judiciary and the legal system.

During his address, CJI Ramana also said "I am overwhelmed to be in presence of Judicial greats of India. Their blessings have brought me so far. Justice Venkatachaliah has been my role model since my student days and at this age of 94 he still continues to be a powerhouse. I am free from stage fear but today is different. Being before you stalwarts makes me nervous." Justice Ramana said during the event.