The Supreme Court of India on Thursday announced the integration of WhatsApp with its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services.The announcement was made by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who said,"In the 75th year, Supreme Court launches an initiative to strengthen access to justice...Supreme Court announces integration of WhatsApp messaging with ICT services...advocates to receive automated messages about the filing of cases.. all members of the bar will get causelists as and when published...the number transmits one way communication."The Court's official WhatsApp number is 8767687676."This will bring a significant change in our working habits and will go a long way in saving paper," the CJI added.Additionally, he observed that more lawyers will gain access to the top court and even individuals from remote areas will be able to access information in courts across the country."We are also migrating all our services into Meghraj cloud 2.0, which is the cloud infra created by National Informatics Centre (NIC) and we are moving Supreme Court and e-courts project as well. Now, all courts can go online as earlier there were only restrictions. The data is all preserved on servers in India," the CJI remarked.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta lauded the initiative and said,"This is another revolutionary step taken by your lordship."Justice Hrishikesh Roy added on a lighter note,"The Chief Justice says more and more digital devices you use, you will look more and more young."The CJI also flagged discrepancies in how High Courts and tribunals were adopting technology."Some High Courts say tell us they need 48 hours in advance for video conference links and you can get if you are above 60. We had to pass a judicial order saying what is this and how can it be done," he added.SG Mehta then said that there is a directive from the Prime Minister prioritisng digitization, as it enables access to justice for the common man."Yes, trial need not be adjourned now if IO is transferred somewhere else as the video facility will be there in jails and the same with doctors who can be in hospitals and yet inform the court of their status. We are moving rapidly by pushing High Courts to do this and there is financial backing also...and now the money goes straight from Central government through e-court committee to the High Courts," the CJI replied.
TAGS: Supreme Court of India WhatsApp ICT services access to justice digitization
