In a significant move to enhance transparency and judicial efficiency, the Bombay High Court has issued a stern directive to all judicial officers across Maharashtra and Goa, mandating the uploading of orders and judgments on the Case Information System (CIS) server on the same day they are passed.
The directive, issued through a circular by the High Court’s Registrar General, Swapnil C. Khati, characterizes any failure to meet these timelines as a “serious lapse.” The move is designed to eliminate the often lengthy lag between the oral pronouncement of a verdict and the official availability of the written document for litigants and the public.
The High Court has linked the timely availability of judgments directly to the professional integrity of the judiciary. The circular explicitly states: “Not uploading the orders/judgments in time is misconduct touching the integrity of a judicial officer.”
According to the order, if a judgment or order is not uploaded on the day of its pronouncement, the concerned judicial officer is now required to furnish specific details and justifications for the delay. This directive has been circulated to all officers through the Principal District and Sessions Judges to ensure uniform compliance across all subordinate courts in the two states.
To enforce these new standards, the High Court administration has introduced a rigorous monitoring mechanism. Judicial officers are now mandated to submit a monthly certificate confirming that all their orders were uploaded within the prescribed timeframe.
The High Court has also adopted a zero-tolerance policy regarding the accuracy of these reports. The administration warned that any discrepancy or misinformation provided by an officer would lead to severe disciplinary action. “The judicial officers are being put to notice that if any discrepancy is found in the information supplied by them, they shall be placed under suspension dispensing with departmental enquiry,” the order noted.
Beyond the digital uploading of records, the High Court has also addressed the handling of physical records. Judicial officers have been instructed not to retain any court files once a case has been officially disposed of.
This comprehensive set of instructions aims to streamline the judicial process, providing litigants with immediate digital access to court rulings and ensuring that the trial courts operate with higher levels of accountability and speed.
