Install Requisite Infra For Internet Connectivity, Hybrid Hearings In DRTs: Delhi High Court To Union Govt

The Delhi High Court has asked the Union Ministry of Finance to install requisite infrastructure for internet connectivity and facilitation of hybrid hearings at Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) in the national capital.

“The court would expect the Administrative Ministry to be mindful of and anticipate the needs of the Bar and the Tribunals in the years to come and install all requisite infrastructure for such needs, including for facilitation of hybrid hearing of cases, as has been directed by the Supreme Court in Sanket Kumar Agarwal (supra),” a division bench of Justice Najmi Waziri and Justice Sudhir Kumar said.

While hearing a bunch of pleas dealing with the issue of infrastructure and filling up of vacancies in DRTs, Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Rajeeve Mehra told court that recently, there was no internet connectivity for hours in the tribunals and that there was no e-filing as well.

“Presently, the internet connectivity speed is inadequate and as per the suggestions of the NIC and the IT Department of this court, 1-TB connectivity is a prerequisite. The court is assured that connectivity speed and bandwidth of 1-TB shall be made available preferably within the next week and due provisions shall be made so that the requisite connectivity is available to the Tribunals and to the lawyers,” the bench noted.

Mehra further told court that the infrastructure at the DRAT is equally appalling as the case files are stored in staircases and staff-members’ toilets.

On the other hand, the counsel representing the Union Government submitted that the Ministry of Finance will promptly look into the matter and rectify the infrastructural issues highlighted regarding the DRTs.

“Let the same be rectified within the next four weeks, including provision of two additional rooms/space which is said to be requisite at this stage. Furthermore, the system of digitization of physical records/disposed-off cases will be initiated so that there is weeding-out of the unnecessary files from the premises of the DRTs and DRAT, and space, which is premium in the city is freed- up. A Status Report in this regard shall be filed within six weeks,” the court directed.

The Attorney General R. Venkataramani also assured the bench that the issues raised in the proceedings have been under active consideration of the Government of India. AG ubmitted that candidates have been selected for appointment of Presiding Officer for one of the DRTs and that the process may take a few weeks.

“It will be open to the members of the DRT Bar to approach the learned Attorney General of India with their suggestions apropos the needs and concerns of the bar. Let the same be done by way of a written note either through Mr. Rajeeve Mehra, Senior Advocate or Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, Advocate who would forward the note to the learned Attorney General within a period of two weeks,” the court said.

The matter will now be heard tomorrow.

Earlier, the court had taken note of the issue of “frequent vacancy” arising in the DRTs, observing that the issue needs consideration and a practical solution has to be found at the earliest.

Title: INDU KAPOOR v. AU SMALL FINANCE BANK & ANR.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 451

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