In a step aimed at improving public access to judicial services, the Delhi High Court on Thursday unveiled its own mobile application, enabling citizens to access various court services and data directly on their smartphones.
The app, along with several other IT initiatives, was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, and Justice Prathiba M. Singh.
While praising the court’s digital initiatives, Justice Nath pressed for resuming live-streaming of court proceedings. “Live streaming is not there in Delhi. Hybrid courts are video conferencing. This is different. The public at large cannot view the court proceedings. Delhi HC is the premier institution of the country. It must allow live streaming,” he said. He added, half in jest, “You should go live, call me again to inaugurate that.”
The Delhi High Court had announced live-streaming in a particular court in October 2023, but after initial trials, the project appeared to have been discontinued.
New Digital Measures
Besides the mobile app, the high court rolled out a dedicated portal for judicial officers, launched an e-Office pilot project, and integrated the MCD Appellate Tribunal and Juvenile Justice Boards with the eCourts system.
Justice Nath said every step towards digitisation also enhanced transparency in the judicial process.
Chief Minister Gupta announced that the Delhi government would provide free Wi-Fi in all courts to aid judges, lawyers, and litigants. She also touched upon civic issues, noting ongoing work to clean the Yamuna, repair sewage plants, and prepare for seasonal pollution controls under the GRAP framework.
Efficiency and Collaboration
Responding to Gupta’s remarks, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said the court’s aim was to make the judicial system more efficient. “There is nothing like ‘fatkar’; we are only making an endeavour to energise the other pillar of the state so that common good can be achieved for the largest number of people of Delhi,” he said.
The Delhi High Court hopes these e-initiatives will streamline court operations, improve transparency, and make legal services more accessible to the public.
