The Delhi High Court has directed the government to upgrade and enhance the existing internet system within a period of 2 weeks, from the present speed of 34 MBPS to 1 GBPS in every District Court to ensure smooth hearings through video conferencing in the District Courts.
The bench comprising Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a petition seeking to expand the functioning of Courts specially the family courts owing to the restrictions amid COVID 19 Pandemic.
The petition had also sought a direction to all family courts to allow recording of evidence through video conferencing. The bench on the previous hearing had directed the Registrar and various bar associations to submit a report on the issue.
The Registrar thereafter informed the bench that hearings in district courts were being conducted via video conferencing but with limited bandwidth.
The Registrar had submitted that despite several letters written by the Registrar and the District and Session Judge, to the Secretary (Law and Judicial) Delhi Government seeking grant of administrative approval and sanction for enhancement and upgradation of the existing internet system in the District Court complexes, no steps have been taken by the government.
Yesterday, during the course of hearing the Additional Secretary (Law and Justice) Delhi Government through an affidavit stated that administrative approval and expenditure sanction of Rs. 3.20 Crores have been granted for upgrading and enhancing the existing leased lines from 34 mbps to 1 gbps in all District Court Complexes.
-India Legal Bureau