The Supreme Court has issued notices to both the Centre and various state governments concerning a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that advocates for the introduction of virtual hearings in proceedings related to compensation claims under land acquisition. This request aims to modernize the handling of disputes within the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Authorities (LARAs).
Presided over by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, the bench addressed the plea on Tuesday, spotlighting the necessity for technological advancements in judicial procedures associated with land rights.
The PIL, lodged by Kishan Chand Jain, emphasizes the urgency of implementing virtual proceedings to ensure efficiency and accessibility in the resolution of land acquisition disputes. These authorities, established under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013, are pivotal in managing conflicts over land acquisition, compensation, and resettlement.
Furthermore, Jain has filed a second PIL demanding that the Supreme Court mandate the live-streaming of sessions and the digitization of workflows at the Central Information Commission (CIC), seeking to enhance transparency and public access to the judicial processes.
