Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated a significant step being taken by the Supreme Court: one that will take it from a being a paper court to becoming a digital court. The Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS) will allow a litigant to digitally file a case and watch its progress on a real-time basis.
The system will help litigants access data and retrieve information online. It will be a step towards a paperless Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar said he proposed to integrate the system with all the 24 High Courts and the subordinate courts. It would help usher in transparency, reduce manipulation and help the litigant track the progress of a case on a real time basis.
No break
The Chief Justice said he had urged High Court judges to work for a few days during the summer break.
The Supreme Court has lined up two Constitution Benches for hearing the triple talaq issue and the issue whether right to privacy of users would be violated by the contract entered into between WhatsApp and Facebook in 2016. Besides, a vacation bench would be hearing urgent matters through the entire duration of the summer vacation till the first week of July.
Over 61,000 cases are pending in the apex court, while the 24 High Courts have 38.70 lakh pending cases, government data shows.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Modi said the decision of the Supreme Court and the High Courts to sit during the summer break will help the poor get justice. “I thank them for this,” he said.
Green cause too
The Prime Minister said a paperless approach would be a boon to both litigants and the environment. Millions of litres of water and thousands of trees can be saved. Ten litres of water was used to make one A4 size paper, he said.
Referring to the demonetisation of ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes, he said it was time people moved on to digital transactions so that the money saved can be used to build homes for the poor and new schools.
