In a major push toward digital judicial operations, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant announced on Thursday that he has requested all high courts across the country to transition to online hearings. According to the Chief Justice, a majority of the high courts have already implemented the digital transition, which comes as part of a national effort to curb avoidable expenditure and optimize fuel use amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
The CJI’s remarks came during a Supreme Court session on Thursday, when a lawyer presented a plea seeking an urgent hearing to direct all Delhi courts to transition to online operations.
While supportive of the digital shift, CJI Kant emphasized that the transition must be cooperative. “I have already requested the Chief Justices. Most have already implemented,” CJI Kant observed. “It has to be a voluntary exercise by both the Bar and the Bench.”
High Courts to Decide on District Level Changes
During the hearing, the petitioner urged the apex court to mandate online hearings for all district courts for a three-month period, citing national interest.
However, CJI Kant clarified the administrative boundaries governing India’s judicial hierarchy, pointing out that district-level decisions fall under the purview of state-level high courts.
“District courts are the domain of High Courts. District courts are in the administrative domain of HCs. Let them take the call,” the CJI explained, while adding, “I have requested them for district courts also.”
A Broader Strategy to Combat Rising Costs
The push for virtual courts is part of a coordinated response to an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who urged public institutions to cut down on avoidable expenditures in light of the economic pressures surrounding the West Asia crisis.
Earlier this week, on Monday, CJI Kant formally requested the chief justices of all high courts to conduct their hearings online specifically on Mondays and Fridays for the time being.
This move mirrors steps already taken at the highest level of India’s judiciary. On May 15, the Supreme Court decided to hear all cases exclusively through video conferencing on Mondays and Fridays. To further ensure optimum fuel utilization, the Supreme Court judges also “unanimously resolved” to encourage carpooling arrangements among themselves.
