Nainital: Uttarakhand High Court has set up five ‘ecourt’ vans – equipped with WiFi and computers for video conferencing – who will travel to remote areas on the hill to connect distant residents with a virtual court.
The judge will hear the case – both civilian and criminal – online while the technical team placed in van will facilitate the appearance of witnesses, complainants and experts before the virtual court and also help with documentation.
This initiative was the idea of the Head of Justice of the Chauhan Hospital which had last year, during the Covid-19 pandemic, introducing the first cellular cell-connecting system in Adamanabad when he served as chairman of the Telangana High Court.
In Uttarakhand, Van Ecourt will pass on independence day in the five hill pithoragarh district, Champawat, Uttarkashi, Tehri and Chamoli.
A court official involved in the initiative to Ti on Tuesday that the vehicle would provide “access to the administration of justice” in some parts of the country where people had to travel long distances in Medan which were difficult to reach the court.
“Uttarakhand has a very difficult topography and many areas do not have internet and road connectivity.
But now instead of people going to court, the court will approach them,” the official said, adding that the facility would also be available in other districts later.
While the detailed standard operating procedure for the functioning of these cellular units has not been released, officials told TII that district judges and court coordinators will be assigned to the responsibility to maintain and place these vans in their districts.
The court concerned can direct the vehicle to visit the witness or applicant’s residence.
People will also be able to find the spread of vans in their area, the official said.
Court on wheels for long-distance Uttarakhand areas
