Plea In Supreme Court Seeks 'SC Digital Venues' To Enable Technologically Deprived Advocates/ Litigants To Appear Before Top Court

The development assumes significance in view of prevalent debate surrounding establishment of Regional Benches of the Supreme Court as per Article 130 of the Constitution.

The Petitioner seeks establishment of at least one Digital Venue in every State and Union Territory of India, suitably equipped for the litigants / advocates to appear before the Top Court through video conferencing, along with E-filing facility.

This, the Petitioner states, will enhance access to justice and overcome any anticipation of geographical, financial, health, social, psychological or technological challenges, especially during the pandemic.

"Virtual / online hearings substantially advance upon a reciprocal balance of possession of digital gadgets alongwith effective internet connectivity maintained by such appearable litigant parties or their advocates or representatives from across the expanse of the country with the Courtrooms.

Stating otherwise, as a matter of ground truth, a large number of litigants and advocates, especially those living in the rural and remote areas, lack the access to digital gadgets (or infrastructure) and effective internet connectivity as vital for the virtual / online hearing of cases," the plea states.

The Petitioner has further submitted:

• Supreme Court Digital Venues shall stand as a ready national infrastructure and ensure the wheels of justice moving in case of an unforeseeable disaster, calamity or outbreak, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, etc.
• They shall increase and ensure the appearance and participation of advocates from all across the country before the Supreme Court, thereby promoting the sense of a truly "national Bar".
• These venues enable multiple advocates to appear before the Top Court for an identical cause at the same time from different geographical locations.
• These are cost-efficient alternative for the numerous litigants and advocates all across the country thereby saving the expense(s) incurred during their travel to New Delhi for court hearings.