Chief Justice Muralidhar Inaugurates Virtual High Courts In 10 More Districts Of Odisha

Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar on Monday inaugurated 10 ‘Virtual High Courts’ in 10 more districts of the State of Odisha. On 3rd February this year, the High Court had established Virtual High Courts in 10 of the 30 Districts in the 1st phase, which were inaugurated by CJI DY Chandrachud virtually.

After receiving encouraging feedback about the 1st phase, the High Court decided to set up 10 more Virtual Courts in the 2nd phase in the Districts of Angul, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Kendrapara, Kandhamal at Phulbani, Mayurbhanj at Baripada, Nayagarh, Sundergarh.

The District Courts were chosen by taking into consideration their geographical location and the volume of cases filed in the High Court from the said Districts. The facility was provided to the above districts on a priority basis as they constitute 34% of total pendency in the High Court.

Facilities In Virtual High Courts

These Virtual High Court Centres will have video conferencing facilities, and a ‘Back Office’ where it will be possible for lawyers to e-file their cases with assistance from staff or officer dedicated for that purpose. Advocates or parties in person not familiar with computers can hand over the hard copy of the petition to the staff at the Back Office who will then scan and prepare and e-file the petition.

The following services will be available through digital mode in these Virtual High Courts:

• Scrutiny of e-filed cases and removal of defects.
• Numbering of the cases.
• Listing of cases including mentioning before the High Court in virtual mode.
• Submission of application for and issuance of certified copies of the orders and judgments.

The High Court has supplied the following ICT devices to the districts for functioning of the Virtual High Courts:

• 55 inches Television (for appearing before the Benches of the High Court);
• Speakers (for clear audibility);
• Document Visualizer (for display of the documents during hearing of the cases);
• Stand cameras and microphones (so that the Advocates can be clearly visible and audible to the Benches);
• Computers, printers and scanners.

Pertinently, the Supreme Court in December, 2022, had taken note of technological advancements in Odisha, while hearing a case relating strike of protesting lawyers in district Sambalpur, who were demanding establishment of a permanent Bench of the High Court in Western Odisha. The Court had then noted,

“We are informed that from any District Court in Odisha, one can file a case in the High Court and also appear virtually. This has been possible with the technological progress. It is proposed that one dedicated room in every district Court premises in Odisha for the purposes of virtually appearing before the High Court every day will be functional soon and there can be adjacent back office to such room which will facilitate e-filing of cases in the High Court. The time period for operationalization of the same is stated to be in three months. We accept the same."

Notably, the e-initiatives of the Orissa High Court has received applause from the CJI time and again. Last week, while delivering the judgment in a case concerning the abolition of the Odisha Administrative Tribunal, he placed his appreciation on record and lauded the High Court for creatively using technology to improve access to justice for the people of the far flung areas of the State.

When the CJI had inaugurated the first phase of the Virtual High Courts, he had appreciated the e-initiatives taken by the Orissa High Court under the leadership of Chief Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar. He said,

“It [the Orissa High Court] has digitized records, inaugurated paperless courts, established Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs), prepared a digital records’ room [the RRDC] and much more in a short span of time. Two years ago, most of these e-initiatives may have seemed like a distant dream. The common citizen would have chuckled at the thought of Orissa High Court operating in every district of the State. Perhaps they would have considered these e-initiatives a part of a scene from a futuristic movie.”

The CJI had also said that these Virtual High Courts will ensure that bright lawyers from nook and corner of the state get opportunity to showcase their advocacy skills before the High Court of Orissa.

“Equally importantly, we are ensuring that the development of the Bar takes place all over the State of Odisha. Talent has no geographical boundaries. There are talented people who are situated across our States. Many of them due to resources or the lack of awareness are not able to set-up practice in seat of the High Court. They should not be denied the opportunity of self-development, of self-evolution.”