With pendency of 4.9 cr cases across courts, justice must be delivered at the fastest possible pace: Rijiju

NEW DELHI, Jan 24: Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, while stating that with around 4.90 crores cases pending across the courts at present and technology enablement of courts will play a pivotal role in reducing this caseload, has asserted that justice must be delivered at the fastest possible pace.

Speaking at the Department of Justice-hosted award ceremony at Jaisalmer House here today to honour the award winners of eCourts Project, Rijiju said: “Justice must be delivered at the fastest possible pace. Today, around 4.90 crores cases are pending across the courts, technology enablement of courts will play a pivotal role in reducing this caseload.”

The event was graced by Rijiju and MoS Prof S P Singh Baghel. Other officers & staff of the department were also present at the occasion.

The Minister unveiled the Desk Calendar from Access to Justice Division that highlights initiatives being undertaken for the welfare of citizens under its DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) programme.

The Department of Justice is constantly working in close coordination with the eCommittee, Supreme Court under the guidance of CJI DY Chandrachud, said Rijiju, while addressing the media.

Prof Baghel also praised the Department of Justice for various citizen-centric services that make the roads of justice inclusive and accessible for all. He also stressed on the AI & technology integration in courts to reduce pendency of cases.

Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Nyay', the Department of Justice, under the guidance of Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju is putting tremendous efforts in providing justice to the last mile in every nook and corner of the country with its citizen-centric approach & various programs and initiatives, he said.

With this objective, the eCourts Project with the close cooperation of eCommittee, Supreme Court of India with a vision to transform the Indian Judiciary by ICT enablement of Courts is leaping ahead with remarkable achievements on its side.

Judgement Search Portal developed under eCourts Mission Mode Project bagged the prestigious Digital India Award 2022 in Category- Digital Empowerment of Citizens by the President of India under the patronage of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India; And National e-Governance Award 2021-2022 in ‘Gold Category’ under the patronage of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

Acknowledging the vital outcomes on grassroots level of the efforts taken by eCourts project with eCommittee, Central Government has conferred eCommittee, Supreme Court of India, a national award for institutions engaged in empowering persons with disabilities, 2021 (Sarvshrestha Sugamya Yatayat ke Sadahan/ Soochana Evem Sanchar Prodyogiki) for making legal space more accessible & inclusive.

S K G Rahate, Secretary (Justice) welcomed the Ministers & other dignitaries present on the occasion. Presentation on Appointment Software was given by Rajinder Kumar Kashyap, Additional Secretary (Appointments & Administration) wherein he delved on various issues in detail like sanctioned strength, working strength of Judges in the Courts and how the Department deal with the appointment matters related to Supreme Court & High Courts Judges in an innovative manner on the website dashboard.

Presentation on eCourts Project with special emphasis on Digital India Award, 2022, e-Governance Award 2022 & National Award for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities was also delivered by Pravash Prashun Pandey, Joint Secretary.

He underlined the importance of technology enablement of courts & its impact on the lives of the general public and explained how eCourts project of the Department of Justice under the guidance of eCommittee, Supreme Court of India helping to form robust infrastructure at District & Subordinate Courts of the country.

A short film on the Judgement Search Portal was also showcased during the programme. (PIB)