Apart from the ordeal of having to travel long distances from the far-flung areas to the district headquarters, litigants often found themselves at the receiving end of administrative and judicial red-tapism.[break]
Five years down the line, Nepali judiciary has undergone a sea change. The introduction of technology in the judiciary has made the process of dispensing justice simple, moral, accountable, responsive and transparent, says Ram Krishna Timalsena, registrar of the SC. Timialsena prefers to call this development a step towards ensuring SMART judicial governance.
Litigants can now obtain a date and view causelists and know about the status of their cases through the internet.
“We have such facilities in 40 out of the total 92 courts across the country,” says Deepak Raj Timilsena, IT director at the Supreme Court. He said the government is also planning to equip the remaining 52 courts with such facilities.
“People can view everyday cause lists at around 10:15 in the morning through the internet and know who is hearing their case,” explained Timilsena. Moreover, as the chief justice exercises his own discretion while assigning cases there is no likelihood of wrongdoing by the judges.
The government encouraged by these positive changes has also increased the budget for the judiciary. A total of Rs 66 million is now allocated to judiciary.
Lav Kumar Mainali, a lawyer who handles criminal cases, says, the introduction of technology has ensured transparency and accountability as anyone can monitor the cases through the internet.
“Besides, our vision is to make court procedures paperless,” said Timilsena.
Officials said closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) installed in the SC and Patan Appellate Court premises has significantly brought down chances of irregularities.
The apex court also has plans to manage Personnel Management System and Office Automation System, electronically. The SC is planning to introduce SMS notification services which will enable litigants to receive sms alerts and updated information on their cases.
The Supreme Court also plans to launch video conference and digital recording facilities that will enable witnesses to record their testimony without having to appear at the court of law. Moreover, digital recording of the court proceedings will make justice more transparent.
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