Counsellors In Family Courts Be Provided Computers For Preparing Conciliation Reports: Delhi High Court

Observing that counsellors are an integral part of the family court system, the Delhi High Court has stressed upon the need of providing them computers and printers to ensure that settlements or conciliation agreed before them can be recorded in right perspective.

Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain noted that at present, the settlements are prepared by them are either hand-written or filed in a performa. 

"These settlements recorded by Principal Counsellors/Counsellors are also not legible and appearing to be recording the statement out of context of the actual settlement. This is causing great inconvenience to the litigants and to the Courts also," said the court

The court also said that the hard work done by the Principal Counsellors or Counsellors at the time of making efforts for settlement may not yield proper results due to the non-availability of computers and printers for recording or typing of the settlements.

The court, dealing with a plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered in a matrimonial case, in July had sought details about the facilities provided to counsellors attached with Family Courts for typing or preparing settlement reports between the contested parties.

The report submitted by Principal Judge (Headquarters), Family Courts, Dwarka on August 22 stated that at present 26 Counsellors - 13 Principal Counsellors and 13 Counsellors, are posted in the 22 Family Courts functional in the city. 

However, the court was told, the counsellors have not been provided with computer systems for typing or preparing the reports.

Accordingly, the Court directed the Principal Judge, Headquarters, Family Courts, Dwarka to take up the issue with the Principal District and Sessions Judge, (Headquarters) and Chairperson of Centralized Computer Committee or any other concerned committee for providing at least one computer along with printer in each district to the counsellors.

"The Principal Judge (Headquarters), Family Courts, Dwarka, is directed to submit the report in this regard, before the next date of hearing. Copy of this order be sent to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, (Headquarters), Tis Hazari Courts, Principal Judge (Headquarters), Family Courts, Dwarka for information and compliance with the direction to report the same to this court at least one week prior to the next date of hearing," the bench said.

The matter will now be heard on November 3.

Title: YOGESH AND ORS v. STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ANR.

Click Here To Read Order