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High Time Govt Uses E-filing System: Bombay High Court Declines To Take Hard Copies In "Environmental PIL"

Sharmeen Hakim

13 Aug 2022 10:15 AM IST

    • High Time Govt Uses E-filing System: Bombay High Court Declines To Take Hard Copies In Environmental PIL

    The Bombay High Court, observing that it was high time the State Government and its agencies started using the E-filing system invariably, refused to take hard copies of an affidavit in a case related to the environment.A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Gauri Godse, on August 10, observed, "It is incongruous that in an environmental PIL that seeks to protect wetlands, and filed by...

    The Bombay High Court, observing that it was high time the State Government and its agencies started using the E-filing system invariably, refused to take hard copies of an affidavit in a case related to the environment.

    A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Gauri Godse, on August 10, observed,
    "It is incongruous that in an environmental PIL that seeks to protect wetlands, and filed by a social action group that seeks to protect forests, more and more paper is being used like this."
    The bench also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Registrar (Original Side), Registrar General and the Prothonotary & Senior Master to consider issuing appropriate directions or obtaining appropriate directions from the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on the point of e-filing of documents.
    The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by NGO Vanashakti which seeks directions to transfer over 1,500 hectares of mangrove land to the forest department of the Maharashtra government, which is currently in possession of various departments of the State.
    Senior Advocate G S Hegde, appearing for one of the authorities – City and Industrial Development Corporation, wanted to file an affidavit on behalf of the concerned authority and handed over the bunch to the court. The bench refused to accept the physical document, calling it incongruous.
    The court then observed,
    "If matters carry on like this, we will never be able to shift to a paperless environment — and that is the avowed objective and goal of the State Government itself."

    Case Title: Vanashakti & Anr Versus Revenue & Forest Dept, State of Maharashtra & Ors

    Citation : 2022 LiveLaw (Bom) 289

    Click Here To Read/Download Order



    Tags
    Bombay High CourtJustice Gautam PatelJustice Gauri GodseE-Filing SystemE-filingPaperless Court
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