Our Supreme Court Has Become Number One In World In Hearing Cases Through Video Conferencing : PM Modi
Radhika Roy
6 Feb 2021 1:49 PM IST
"Our Supreme Court has become number one in the world in hearing cases through video-conferencing", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the commemorative function of 60 Years of Gujarat High Court. Prime Minister Modi was celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the Gujarat High Court with the release of a commemorative postage stamp. Justice MR Shah of the Supreme Court, Chief...
"Our Supreme Court has become number one in the world in hearing cases through video-conferencing", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the commemorative function of 60 Years of Gujarat High Court.
Prime Minister Modi was celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the Gujarat High Court with the release of a commemorative postage stamp. Justice MR Shah of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Vikram Nath of the Gujarat High Court, Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad, Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani, and Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta were also in attendance in the virtual event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering and praised how the virtual hearings had facilitated ease of justice by not only increasing the ease of living of the citizens of the country, but also by increasing the ease of doing business.
He noted how the World Bank had also praised the National Judicial Data Grid in India in its 2018 report on Doing Business, and that in order to ensure that the ease of access to justice kept increasing, the Supreme Court's e-Committee and the NIC were working together.
PM Modi further observed that to make the justice system future-ready, the government was looking into enabling AI-supported methods which would not only better the efficiency of the judiciary, but also the speed. Additionally, e-Seva Kendras were opened to close the digital divide and reduce the burden on courts. The Prime Minister also spoke about the need to use Artificial Intelligence technology, which can increase the speed and efficiency of judiciary.
"To make our justice system future-ready, we are also looking into AI-supported methods. This will not only better the efficiency of the judiciary, but also the speed. E-seva Kendras are being opened to close the digital divide and reduce burden on courts", he said.
The address concluded with PM Modi observing that Gujarat High Court was way ahead of its time, and how the power of justice could be utilised to lead to the progress and development of the country.
As per statistics, the Supreme Court has held 43,713 hearings by 1998 benches through Video Conferencing mode since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020 till December 31, 2020
Supreme Court Judge, Justice MR Shah also shed a light on the journey and the growth of the Gujarat High Court.
"I am glad and feel proud & privileged to participate in this important function of release of commemorative stamp of Gujarat HC on completion of 60 years and that too by our most popular, loved, vibrant & visionary leader, Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendabhai Modi", Justice Shah said while starting his address.
Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court Vikram Nath said that the Prime Minister was highly popular due to his commitment to the country.
"Today we have got the opportunity wherein Honourable the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is releasing the Commemorative Postage Stamp. His uprightness in taking up the responsibilities has played an important role in the rise of his popularity. While taking up the duty towards nation, he has also fulfilled the pledge towards a secure world", CJ Vikram Nath said in his speech delivered in Hindi.
He further underlined the tenet of "separation of powers" as enshrined in the Constitution and, observed that the Gujarat High Court had always upheld its integrity and never crossed this "Lakshman Rekha".
"I feel proud to be from this Court. Gujarat High Court has been constantly protecting fundamental rights and has always shown the path. First Lok Adalat was in Gujarat and it is the first High Court to begin live-streaming. History of Gujarat High Court is too extensive and if I start narrating, it will consume the whole day", said Justice Shah.
Amongst others, Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta also addressed the gathering and noted that the Gujarat High Court, which was his mother institution, had produced premium judges, scholarly jurists and exceptionally well-equipped counsels. He also highlighted the pivotal role that had been played in the growth of the judiciary by the Executive – in terms of infrastructure and financial manpower.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Minister of Law and Justice, during his address, commented on the commitment to the independence of judiciary.
"Our commitment to the independence of judiciary is complete and total. And I need to emphasise today that led by the Prime Minister, we all have fought against the Emergency as student actors for three freedoms – freedom of individual, freedom of media, independence of judiciary – which were under threat during those challenging times. That remains our commitment and shall remain our commitment".
Having said that, Shri Prasad also noted that the basic structure not only comprised of the independence of judiciary, but also separation of powers.
He concluded, "I am of the clear view that governance and law-making must be left to those who have been elected by the people of India to govern and make laws. This is the healthy understanding. I must reiterate that these noble traditions have been followed by the Gujarat High Court always".
