Summary
In the continuing proceedings on subordinate-court infrastructure, the Supreme Court directed nationwide provision of basic amenities, accessible court complexes, security, technology and professional administrative assistance. It required States to constitute committees, including a nominated High Court officer, to formulate development plans and present status reports. Infrastructure was treated as essential to effective access to justice and the rule of law.
Issues
- What planning and minimum infrastructure measures were required to secure effective access to courts.
Held
- Adequate judicial infrastructure is a governmental constitutional obligation integral to access to justice and the rule of law. Financial constraints do not excuse its neglect. Planning should combine annual, five-year and ten-year components, with budgeting based on assessed demand and effective use of funds. (¶¶ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13)
- Directions covered seating and waiting areas; lighting, temperature control, drinking water, separate accessible washrooms and canteens; usable ramps, tactile paving, Braille and navigational signage; staffed help desks; and electronic case displays updating every ten seconds. (¶¶ 12(i), 12(ii), 12(iii), 12(iv))
- New complexes were to provide segregated surface and underground parking; existing complexes were to explore feasible underground or multilevel parking. Transport connections, crowd management and security were required, together with effective crèches at nominal rates for children aged six months to six years of the specified court-related groups and an atmosphere suitable for children and vulnerable witnesses. (¶¶ 12(v), 12(vi), 12(vii), 12(viii))
- Professionally qualified court-manager posts, preferably filled by MBA holders, were to be created in every judicial district; States were directed to regularise persons already working as court managers. Further directions addressed nearby residential accommodation, district-court solar installations followed by wider coverage, CCTV, video links to jails and district-court dispensaries. (¶¶ 12(ix), 12(x), 12(xi), 12(xii), 12(xiii), 12(xiv))
- Chief Secretaries were to constitute development-plan committees with the Law Secretary as a member and invite an officer nominated by the High Court Chief Justice. Plans and status reports were required for further consideration. (¶¶ 14, 15)
Result
Directions issued. Copies to State Chief Secretaries and High Court Registrars General; matter listed for 23 August 2018 for plans, status reports and further directions.