The Calcutta High Court recently comprising of a bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Rajarshi Bharadwaj directed the State government to apprise the Court about the steps which are taken to set up video conferencing facilities in the tribunals and forums of the State. (Mangal Sardar v. High Court Administration and Ors)
Facts of the case
The present petition was filed by the petitioner submitting that the video conferencing facility in the district courts and the jails is necessary to avoid unnecessary expenses relating to production of under-trials as also examination of the expert witnesses.
He submitted that this facility is required even if the physical functioning of the courts has started. Learned Advocate General has informed that so far as the central tribunals are concerned, in two central tribunals, video conferencing facilities are available. For State tribunals/forums, he has submitted that the physical appearance of the parties / advocates has started, but the need for setting up the video conferencing facility cannot be denied.
Courts Observation and Judgment
The court taking note of the matter granted time to apprise the Court about the steps which are taken to set up video conferencing facilities in the tribunals and forums of the State.
The court listing the matter to 25th February remarked, "Learned counsel for the High Court Administration is also directed to get the reports from all the district courts in respect of the existing video conference facility and the need and requirement of its further enhancement and improvement. He will place the report in tabulated form before the concerned Committee who, after examining the same, will take necessary decision to forward it with/without modifications to the State for taking steps to provide the requisite infrastructure."
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