New Delhi: Soon India will have 24/7 virtual courts that will dispose of cases other than traffic challans. At present these virtual courts only handle traffic challans. The law ministry has now invited proposals from judicial academies, law universities, IMs, and ITs for a comprehensive research study on the subject.
“The concept is aimed at reducing footfalls in the courts by eliminating the physical presence of violators or advocates in the court,” the law ministry said in its notice inviting proposals, which are to be submitted by August 1, according to a Times of India report.
Virtual courts can be managed by virtual judges whose jurisdiction can be extended to the entire state and working hours may be 24/7, the notification further stated on the terms of reference of the study. “Neither litigant need to come to court nor judge will have to physically preside over the court. Thus precious time will also be saved,” it said.
As part of its action research program, the law ministry often conducts research studies involving these reputed institutions for justice delivery. The institutes which will be awarded the project will have to come out with “innovative suggestions and proof of concept based on extensive research studies that can be further stated on the terms of reference of the study. “Neither litigant need to come to court nor judge will have to physically preside over the court. Thus precious time will also be saved,” it said.
A study proposal has also been invited for assessing the performance of commercial courts – its performance, adherence to timelines for disposal of commercial cases. There are at present 21 virtual courts in 17 states and Union Territories. All of them are dealing with disposal of traffic challan cases. “More than 2.4 crore cases have been handled by these virtual courts so far, and in more than 33 lakh cases, online fines of over Rs 360 crore has been realised, according to the ministry, the report added.
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