Can’t hold Online Hearings with outdated Computers: MAT informs HC

The Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) at its principal seat in Mumbai & benches at Nagpur & Aurangabad couldn't conduct hearings through video conferencing (VC) during the Coronavirus lockdown due to outdated computers & lack of technical manpower, MAT registrar Suresh Joshi has informed the High Court of Bombay.

In a report submitted to High Court, Joshi has said that most of the computers being used at MAT are very old – purchased between 2007 & 2014. Besides, the tribunals lack the technical manpower to conduct video conferences, he said, adding that at least two technical persons are required for the tribunal at Mumbai & one each at its benches. Therefore, since June, the tribunal has been conducting physical hearings, the report states.

Working twice a week during the Coronavirus pandemic, MAT benches have heard a total o 1,220 cases filed during this period, along with several other urgent matters, & have disposed of 599 cases, the report adds.

Joshi filed the report pursuant to an Oct 28 order passed by the division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta & Justice Girish Kulkarni, on a plea filed by Lawyer Yogesh Morbale, a resident of Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur district.

In his plea filed through Lawyer Vinod Sangvikar on Oct 6, Morbale complained that he had been stuck at his native place because of the pandemic, & thousands of lawyers like him & litigants were deprived of access to MAT because of lack of online filing & hearing by the tribunal.

He had, therefore, sought directions to the MAT to conduct hearings through video conferencing on a daily basis & to update its website to support an e-court system & make it user friendly.

As regards the MAT website, Joshi said in his report that the tribunal had started its website in July 2013. It was designed by Mahaonline Limited & only had certain basic features. He added that the space provided for the website on the state Govt’s server is insufficient & therefore, whenever data is required to be uploaded on it, the tribunal has to approach the director, information technology.

The MAT registrar’s report adds that the tribunal has a chairman, three vice-chairmen & 5 members. However, of the 3-member posts, one each at Mumbai, Nagpur & Aurangabad are vacant, & 2 of the three vice-chairmen are due to retire on Nov 17, 2020, & Jan 22, 2021.

Thus, no bench will be available at Aurangabad from Nov 17, 2020, & Govt employees from the Marathwada region will have to move either to Mumbai or to Nagpur in case of urgency. For hearing regular matters from Marathwada region, MAT will have to make arrangements for circuit benches, the report adds. 

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