Justice Devashis Baruah addresses the gathering during the launch of various digital initiatives at NGUYUSEM Multipurpose Hall in Kohima on September 25. (Morung Photo)
• eMalkhana, e-Car pass system launched
• High Court working towards e-Filing and paperless courts
• Nagaland’s first online RTI portal for district judiciary
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 25
Justice Devashis Baruah on Friday said digitisation of court records would help reduce delays in proceedings and enable quicker disposal of appeals.
He was speaking during the launch of various digital initiatives, including Court eMalkhana, High Court e-Car Pass System and RTI Portal for the District Judiciary of Nagaland, at an eCourts (ECT) programme held in collaboration with the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) at NGUYUSEM Multipurpose Hall in Kohima.
The initiatives were launched alongside an eCourts (ECT) programme for advocates and advocates' clerks.
Justice Baruah said the High Court was also working towards introducing e-filing and paperless courts at the principal seat as well as the Kohima Bench. He said e-filing could begin once the State Government amended the Court Fees Act, adding that the government had assured that the amendment would be carried out soon.
The judge said digitisation of Trial Courts Records would also enable the High Court to access records without having to call for them physically.
“As of now, whenever we are issuing a particular notice in an appeal or proceeding pertaining to a district court, we call for the lower court's record,” he said, adding that scanned copies were sometimes used.
With digitisation, however, the entire records could be accessed “with the click of a button”, he said.
Justice Baruah said this would aid in the disposal of proceedings that come from district courts to the High Court.
Citing a case taken up by the Bench on Friday involving a senior citizen who had been convicted and was incarcerated, he said the matter required an urgent hearing but could not be taken up as the paper book had not been prepared.
“If this digitization process goes on, then these appeals can be taken up immediately,” he said, noting that this was particularly important where a person's liberty was at stake.
On the eMalkhana initiative, Justice Baruah said it would bring greater transparency and accountability in the handling of case properties.
Regarding the e-Car Pass System, he said the initiative was prompted partly by security concerns over vehicles entering the Kohima Bench premises.
He said the system was being developed so that only vehicles issued authorised stickers or passes would be permitted entry.
Justice Baruah said the RTI Portal for the District Judiciary of Nagaland was a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, enabling people to seek information from district courts online.
He said the initiative would promote transparency and timely access to information. Under the system, applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005, can be filed online from the convenience of one's home.
The digital initiatives were demonstrated by Joint Registrar (Judicial) and CPC, eCourts, Boduve Peter Resu, who said the initiatives had been developed in-house.
He said the system links each physical article with its digital case record, documenting its receipt, storage and subsequent movement, including when it is sent for forensic or ballistic examination or produced before a court.
Each article would be assigned a unique QR code linked to details including the police case number, investigating officer and General Register number, which would soon be replaced by the CNR number.
Scanning the QR code would also allow associated records and details of articles such as phones, drugs or firearms to be accessed.
Resu said the system was developed to ensure reliable records and traceability of seized properties.
Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, Registrar Ajongba Imchen delivered the welcome address, while advocate Kezhosano Kikhi chaired the programme.
During the technical session, resource person Kishor Talukdar, Systems Officer, Kamrup (M), Assam, made a presentation on ECT for advocates and advocates' clerks.
A panel discussion on Article 371A of the Constitution of India was also held during the programme. Senior advocates CT Jamir and T B Jamir were the panellists, while advocate Toshi O Longkumer was the moderator.
