Embracing technology at the forefront, Justice mobile App – A digital tool for efficient court management provides Judicial Officers the Electronic Case Management, bringing innovation to the courtroom and reducing inordinate delays while disposing of the cases.
The JustIS Mobile App is a significant part of India’s efforts to digitize its judiciary system. Developed for the judges of District and Subordinate Courts in the country, it serves as a digital repository providing comprehensive details about a judge’s court, accessible 24/7. The app is secure, requiring a username and password for access.
This app is a component of the broader eCourts project, which encompasses various platforms and tools aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian judiciary. This project has led to the creation of platforms like the Case Information Software, Electronic Case Management Tools, and the JustIS app itself. Furthermore, it has facilitated the establishment of 21 Virtual Courts across 17 States and Union Territories in India, handling over 2.40 crore cases to date.
The digital justice system in India, initiated in 2005, aimed to re-engineer the judiciary’s processes, optimizing human resources and changing the system of data management through Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This initiative was seen as a means to make justice more accessible, affordable, cost-effective, accountable, and transparent. The e-committee, formed to drive this initiative, prepared a ‘Strategic Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology in the Indian Judiciary.’ The plan’s objectives included assisting judicial administration in daily activities, reducing case pendency, ensuring transparency, and making judicial databases accessible to judges.
Over the years, several key developments have emerged from this initiative. These include the facility to send court notices through email, reducing delays in serving notices and arrears pile-up; recording statements through Skype, particularly beneficial for parties abroad; and conducting video conferencing in criminal trials, enhancing the clarity and effectiveness of evidence recording.
However, the full potential of this digital transformation is yet to be realized. The Supreme Court’s decision in cases like Shafhi Mohammad v. State of Himachal Pradesh highlighted the need to adapt the legal framework for digital evidence, leading to modifications in the requirement for certificates under Section 65B(4) of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Moreover, the Supreme Court has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations and prisons to monitor potential human rights abuses.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital systems in the judiciary, as courts had to rely on video conferencing to hear cases. However, complete digitalization poses challenges, especially in sensitive cases where assessing the demeanor of the accused or witness is crucial. Virtual courts can’t fully replace open court hearings, and there’s a need for training advocates in technology use. Privacy concerns also arise in this digitalized system, with measures like the Case Information Software aiming to protect party identities in sensitive cases.
Additionally, initiatives like the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) and the National Service and Tracking of Electronic Process (NSTEP) are being developed to further integrate and streamline the judicial process digitally.
