Virtual courts e-inaugurated to deal with on-spot challans

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court judge Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Wednesday highlighted that the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has “given an opportunity to place the technological infrastructure of Indian judiciary on a robust basis”.

While speaking at the e-inauguration of virtual courts for traffic challans captured via cameras, Justice Chandrachud said: “The pandemic has descended on us without any notice but it has given us an opportunity to place the technological infrastructure of the Indian judiciary on a robust basis. The question today is not whether we should adopt technology but how well do we adopt technology.”

Emphasising on the importance of the virtual courts, the top court judge said that the same would release 20 judges who were dedicating their work of petty offences like traffic vio

lations are now being able to dedicate their time to core judicial work.

The webinar was also attended by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D N Patel, Delhi Police Commissioner S N Srivastava and various judges, lawyers and officers of the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and other judicial bodies.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Patel said: “The version 2.0 of the virtual courts will touch greater heights and would provide a better option to the violator as now he can decide how he wants to compound the challans though option of coming to the actual court is always open.”

“Nowadays, no one has time to come to the court. It has been done in public welfare. I am sure it is useful for the public, police and the judiciary too,” Chief Justice Patel said.

The Delhi Police Commissioner while speaking on the occasion mentioned that even during the lockdown days, the cameras of the Delhi Police are capturing about 25,000 violations daily. Appreciating the virtual courts 2.0, he said: “This would not only help in reducing the pendency by decreasing time and efforts but would also help those who want to settle challans online and want a faster compounding.”

The pandemic has given an opportunity to place the technological infrastructure of Indian judiciary on a robust basis