Judicial courts in HP to be computerised soon, says CJ

Una, Jan 13 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta today said all judicial courts in the state will be computerised by mid 2008.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said this was being done under a Government of India project and would bring greater efficiency, speed besides quality justice to the people of the state.

Observing that Himachal was well placed as far as pendency of cases was concerned, he said efforts were being made to dispose of cases by organising Lok Adalats and legal literacy camps for the public.

He said, cooperation from all departments besides the Bar was being received in this.

Justice Gupta said when he took over as Chief Justice of the High Court there was no Fast Track Court in the state, adding that now every district has one such court, which has greatly reduced the work load of the sessions courts.

There has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of courts during the last three years, he said, adding that about 30 new Sub Judge Courts have been opened during the period.

He said about 12 to 13 new vacancies, that were estimated in the near future would be filled up shortly.

Earlier, he inaugurated the newly constructed Additional Judicial Courts Complex near the existing complex here.

The four-storey building, having a covered area of approximately 20,000 square feet has been built at a cost of Rs 3.3 crore.

Later, addressing a gathering, the Chief Justice said adequate infrastructure for speedy dispensation of cases and for providing quality justice was a must.

He said since advocates would also get a better working atmosphere here they should contribute more towards providing justice.

High Court Judge SS Thakur, Additional Una District and Sessions Judges Virender Singh and CL Kochar, Chief Judicial Magistrate RK Sharma, Additional CJM PP Ranta, Judicial Magistrates Partap Thakur, Sheetal Sharma, Bar Association President Sanjeev Phanda, DC Anita Tegta and SP Dr Atul Fulzele were also present on the occasion.

UNI