Now, free Wi-Fi facility at Delhi HC for lawyers, public

The facility was launched by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan at the B Block Lawyers’ Cafeteria, in the presence of Justice Rajiv Shakdher (Chairman of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence & Accessibility Committee) and its members–Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Sanjeev Narula, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma and Justice Girish Kathpalia, and other judges.

The launch of E-True Copy Application of Delhi High Court also took place to simplify the process of obtaining certified copies of judicial records, said a statement from the HC.

The event also saw the ‘soft launch’ of the HC’s new website as well as ‘Virtual Tour of Delhi High Court-Phase I’.

During the event, Acting Chief Justice Manmohan congratulated the IT Committee and its Chairman Justice Shakdher on the speedy implementation of the projects.

Speaking about the uniqueness of the HC, the Acting Chief Justice said, “Let me share a secret. In this court the administration is carried out by the judges themselves. Nearly each and every function of this court is assigned to a committee and each committee comprises around 5-7 judges. Each and every decision is taken by a committee of this court. Therefore, you will find that our court is unique. It is a trendsetter and a torch bearer of all reforms that take place. I have been a judge for about 16 years and my experience with public interest litigations has been that people are coming to court repeatedly because they find that decisions are not being taken. It is not so much corruption than it is the allegation of inefficiency and lethargy. What you find today is a poverty of ideas. People don’t know how to handle the situation. Because our administration is not controlled by petty level officers but by judges themselves, this reform streak in the administration you will find”.

The Acting Chief Justice thereafter thanked the predecessor judges of the HC for the court’s robust administrative machinery.

“And I think for this robust administrative machinery that we have we have to thank our predecessors who have laid the foundation. It takes a huge toll on each and every judge of this court. Because he has to not only do judicial functions as well as administrative functions. But it is a small price that we pay for ensuring that this court stays ahead of the curve. I think the bar must realise this…they must appreciate what the judges of this court do even after court hours. Because that I think is an aspect which is really not looked into,” Justice Manmohan said.

The Acting Chief Justice, thereafter, said that these projects would ensure that the HC is accessible to everyone–litigants and lawyers alike, which is very crucial.