On Monday, the High Court of Delhi refused to entertain an appeal seeking installation of fibre lines of all telecom operators in every Court Complex in the city to ensure faster internet for an effective hearing of cases via video conferencing during the Coronavirus pandemic.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan said that while the issue raised was a good one, no relief can be granted right away as huge expenditure is involved & the Govt has its own priorities.

The Bench said that "This is not the right time for it (laying fibre cables in district courts). We will do it in time, slowly".

However, the Court allowed the petitioner, an Advocate, to make a representation before the authorities who, on receiving it, were directed to decide it in accordance with the law, rules, regulations & government policy applicable to the facts of the case & by also keeping in mind its financial priorities.

With the direction, the bench disposed of the plea.

The plea, seeking laying of fibre cables for faster internet connectivity, had been filed by Lawyer Satnarain Sharma who has alleged that "due to lack of infrastructure & poor connectivity of internet, hardship is being faced by the judges & lawyers in most of the court complexes" in Delhi.

During the hearing, the lawyer appearing for Sharma told the bench that fibre cable boxes were being set up in the HC by MTNL at no extra cost & the same can be done in the district courts by the state-run telecom company.

Central Govt standing counsel Anil Soni, appearing for the Department of Telecommunication, told the court that the cost aspect has to be verified.

Thereafter, the Court directed Sharma to move a representation before the appropriate authorities.

Sharma in his petition had said, "To avoid hardships being faced by the lawyers who are working from their chambers in respective courts & to make the virtual courts more effective & efficient, installation of fibre internet of all cellular operators in all court complexes has become indispensable necessity.

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