Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 25 (NPN): Justice Devashis Baruah of the Gauhati High Court on Friday said digitisation of court records would help reduce delays in judicial proceedings and facilitate quicker disposal of appeals.
He was speaking at the launch of various digital initiatives, including Court eMalkhana, High Court e Car Pass System and RTI Portal for the District Judiciary of Nagaland, during an eCourts (ECT) programme organised in collaboration with the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) at NGUYUSEM Multipurpose Hall, Kohima. The initiatives were launched alongside an ECT programme for advocates and clerks.
Justice Baruah said the High Court was working towards introducing e filing and paperless courts at both the principal seat and the Kohima Bench. He noted that e filing could be introduced once the State Government amended the Court Fees Act, noting that the government had assured the amendment would be carried out soon.
He explained that digitisation of district court records would enable the High Court to access case files electronically without calling for physical records, thereby expediting disposal of matters. Citing a recent case involving a senior citizen whose appeal could not be heard due to delay in preparing the paper book, he said digitisation would allow urgent appeals, particularly those involving liberty, to be taken up immediately.
On Court eMalkhana, Justice Baruah said the initiative would bring transparency and accountability in handling case properties. He also lauded the Kohima Bench for being ahead of the principal seat in adopting new digital initiatives.
Regarding the e Car Pass System, he said the initiative was prompted by security concerns relating to vehicles entering the Kohima Bench premises, ensuring only authorised vehicles with valid passes would be permitted entry.
Describing the RTI Portal for the District Judiciary of Nagaland as a first of its kind initiative in the State, he said it would enable citizens to seek information from district courts online, thereby promoting transparency and timely access to information.
Joint Registrar (Judicial) and CPC, eCourts, Boduve Peter Resu, demonstrated the systems, explaining that the Court eMalkhana linked each case property with its digital record through a unique QR code, ensuring reliable record keeping and traceability of seized items such as phones, drugs and firearms.
Kohima Bench Registrar Ajongba Imchen delivered the welcome address, while advocate Kezhosano Kikhi chaired the programme. During the technical session, Kishor Talukdar, Systems Officer, Kamrup (M), Assam, made a presentation on ECT for advocates and clerks.
A panel discussion on Article 371A of the Constitution of India was also held, with Senior Advocates C.T. Jamir and T.B. Jamir as panelists and advocate Toshi O. Longkumer as moderator.