The Calcutta High Court directed the High Court administration to get the reports from all the district courts in respect of the existing video conference facility and the need and requirement of its further enhancement and improvement.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj heard a Public Interest Litigation filed by Mangal Sardar related to setting up of the video conferencing facilities in different district courts in the State of West Bengal.
The order reads:
“Learned counsel for the High Court Administration is also directed to get the reports from all the district courts in respect of the existing video conference facility and the need and requirement of its further enhancement and improvement. He will place the report in the tabulated form before the concerned committee who, after examining the same, will take necessary decisions to forward it with/without modifications to the state for taking steps to provide the requisite infrastructure. List on 25th February 2022.”.
Srikanta Dutta, counsel for the Petitioner has submitted that the video conferencing facility in the district courts and in the jails is necessary to avoid unnecessary expenses relating to the production of under-trials as also the examination of the expert witnesses.
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He has submitted that this facility is required even if the physical functioning of the courts has started.
S. N. Mookherjee, Advocate General has informed the High Court that so far as the central tribunals are concerned, in two central tribunals, video conferencing facilities are available.
For State tribunals/forums, Advocate General has submitted that the physical appearance of the parties/advocates has started, but the need for setting up the video conferencing facility cannot be denied.
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While considering the submission of the Advocate General, the Court has granted time to appraise the High Court about the steps which are taken to set up video conferencing facilities in the tribunals and forums of the State.
It is pertinent to note that Calcutta High Court and district courts is functioning in virtual mode from 3 January, barring some restrictions, according to a new order issued on January 1.