Justice Vikram Nath Inaugurates Delhi HC Mobile App, Urges Live-Streaming of Hearings

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) judge, Justice Vikram Nath, inaugurated the Delhi High Court (HC) Mobile App, the e-Office Pilot Project, the e-HRMS Portal for Judicial Officers, and the onboarding of MCD Appellate Tribunal/JJBs on e-Court, as well as the digital preservation of Judicial Records. In his inaugural address, he also urged the Delhi HC judges to start live-streaming of hearings; “Delhi High Court has still not gone online. Live streaming is not here in Delhi…Delhi High Court must go [live]. It is the premier institution of the country. Delhi high court must, that's my request.” Justice Nath further added that every step taken towards digitalization by the judiciary is a step towards transparency, “Transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation upon which justice rests. Without it, the law remains distant. With it, the law becomes a living reality for people.” 

Justice Vikram Nath also addressed the issues faced by litigants and lawyers as they had to deal with delays, repeated visits, and uncertainty regarding the status of their case. He added that with real-time updates, streamlined workflows, and digital dashboards, information is easily available to all, “Justice is not the privilege of one class of courts or one category of litigants, it must be uniform, accessible and consistent across the board, whether it is a litigant before the High Court, the juvenile before a board or the citizen before a municipal tribunal, the same promise of accessibility and efficiency must hold true.” The judge added, “This reduces the burden of waiting, minimizes procedural obstacles, and allows the focus to return where it belongs— on the resolution of disputes. It is important to acknowledge the inclusive nature of these initiatives, which we must continue to build on by extending digital services to tribunals and to juvenile justice boards. We are making sure that no segment of the justice system is left behind.”

Furthermore, in his inaugural address, Justice Nath said that the technology will help the judges to deliver justice effectively and swiftly. He also mentioned, “Now, the Delhi High Court is ensuring that our institutions are ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Above all these initiatives serve as an example for courts across the country. They demonstrate that technology does not have to diminish the human element of justice, but it can strengthen it. It makes justice more accessible, more transparent and more efficient. It brings the institution closer to the citizen, and in doing so, it reminds us that the ultimate purpose of every reform, every digitized page and every new app is to serve the people.” Justice Nath also asked the judges publicly if they had any objections, to which they replied negatively.