Kerala's 24x7 Online Court Revolutionizes Justice Delivery, Sets Example for India
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Thiruvananthapuram: A year after the launch of India's first 24x7 open and networked (ON) court in Kerala's Kollam district, the innovative pilot project is yielding impressive results. The ON court, which began functioning in November last year, aims to digitize justice delivery, bring courts closer to people, and reduce paperwork. The brainchild of the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court judges, the project was implemented in collaboration with PUCAR, a non-profit collective focused on dispute resolution, and Agami, a law and justice reform organization. The online court in Kollam deals exclusively with cheque dishonour cases under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The digital court, which can be accessed at any time, has simplified the process for litigants, lawyers, and even the accused. Cases can be filed digitally, and summons are sent via SMS and email, reducing the need for physical paperwork and traditional postal services. The court's user-friendly portal allows litigants to track their cases, receive real-time updates, and communicate with their lawyers more efficiently. According to the data, a total of 861 cases have been filed since its inception, with 168 cases disposed of and 672 pending. The average time for disposal in the ON court is just 140 days, a significant improvement compared to physical courts, which can take up to 5-6 years to dispose of a case. Lawyers and litigants who have used the online court have praised its efficiency and effectiveness. Beena M, a lawyer who has filed multiple cases in the ON court, says the system has reduced paperwork and enabled speedy disposal of cases. Genghis Khan, a manager at a financial institution, has filed over two dozen cases in the ON court and credits the digital court for helping his institution recover funds from defaulters. Supriya Sankaran, a founding member of PUCAR, believes the ON court is a model for scaling up the justice delivery system across India. The project's success has sparked plans to set up a similar court in Thrissur district, which is expected to reduce the backlog of cheque dishonour cases in the region. The Kerala government's innovative approach to justice delivery has set an example for the country, demonstrating the potential of digitization to revolutionize the justice system and make it more accessible and efficient for all stakeholders.
