District courts to use digital technology

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-01-23
MARGAO - The Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar on Friday said that digital technology would be henceforth made use of in the District and Sessions Courts for speedy trial of the undertrials following the installation of electronic media communication trial facility here.
The Chief Justice was speaking at a function after inaugurating the ‘Electronic Media Communication Trial Facility’ in the District and Sessions Court, Margao in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat. The facility is an attempt to balance the need of criminal judicial system and the need to get speedy trial.
Delivering his inaugural address, the Chief Justice said the judicial system must be thought of as an organisation and it must stand the test of justice. Elaborating on this, he said that he came across a hoarding on the Panaji-Margao route which read “What matters most is not how fast you go but how far you go.” This, he said, was very much significant.
The Chief Justice said that the electronic media communication facility had many advantages which included speedy justice, quick and cost effective trial by video conferencing and avoidance of deployment of police personnel to escort the accused. Several distinguised lawyers and judges attended the function.
Congratulating the South Goa District and Sessions Court principal judge Ms Justice Nutan Sardessai on the occasion, the Chief Justice stressed that transparency is the hallmark of efficiency which he said would be enhanced with this electronic media communication trial facility. He also urged that the state administration and the judiciary work hand-in-hand so that justice reaches the common man in remote places and in difficult times. Thanking the state for extending co-operation, particularly in the criminal justice system, the Chief Justice said that this is a service to humanity and the society of Goa.
The Chief Minister Mr Digambar Kamat while addressing the gathering said with the installation of this facility on the first floor of the District and Sessions Court building, a link has been established between the North Goa District Court and the South Goa District Court as well as between the jails at Sada and the judicial lockup at Mapusa. He said this facility would also help the undertrials who are in jails for years.
Courts now will be able to record statements without shifting the undertrials from their jails which he said would help in saving manpower and also prevent detainees from escaping from the custody of police. The Chief Minister informed that this facility would be soon made available at the Aguada jail.
As a test, a video conferencing was conducted involving an undertrial at Sada and the Chief Minister, while being seated in the Margao Court, asked certain questions to the undertrial. He also spoke to the deputy Collector of Mormugao, Mr Martins and enquired about the facilities at the Sada jail. Ms Justice Nutan Sardessai also spoke on the occasion. Other High Court judges present on the occasion were Mr Justice Nelson A Britto and Mr Justice P B Mazumdar. The president of South Goa Advocates Association, Mr Joaquim D’Souza, proposed the vote of thanks.