E-Connectivity Issues At Courts In Jammu & Kashmir: High Court Directs BSNL To Convene Meeting With IT Staff & NIC; Submit ATR

While hearing a suo moto PIL registered at the time of outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, which was later expanded to address as many as 18 issues, a Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sindhu Sharma ordered,

"the Nodal Officer to have a meeting with the IT staff of the High Court and State Informatics Officer (SIO), NIC at the earliest within a period of two weeks to iron out all the issues as far as possible. A report after the meeting and the action taken thereon be submitted by Sh. Ravinder Gupta, learned AAG by the next date."

The Bench was referring to three issues: (i) e-Connectivity of Courts; (ii) e-connectivity of High Court; and (iii) Lack of connectivity/communication in areas of UTs of J&K and Ladakh.

During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Monika Kohli informed the Bench that BSNL is unable to provide proper and suitable services.

At this juncture, AAG Ravinder Gupta appearing for BSNL assured the Court that he would ask the Nodal Officer, Principal GM (CFA) Office of CGMT, Circle J&K, to contact the Registry of the High Court and to sit with the IT Officers to resolve all the issues.

Taking the statement on record, the Court directed the Government to hold a meeting within two weeks and submit an action taken report by April 6, 2021.

Background

The issue of e-connectivity was first raised before the Court while high speed mobile internet services were still suspended in the valley in the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370.

"Access to justice is a fundamental right and cannot be impeded. It has to be ensured to every citizen and courts are required to remain accessible," the High Court had remarked while stating that despite best efforts on the part of the High Court IT Team, it had been impossible for the Court to have even a "bare semblance of a hearing".

Thereafter, a five-member Committee was set up to undertake an audit of the facilities and infrastructure and examine the issue of e-connectivity at the High Court.

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. Government of India & Ors.

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