The Supreme Court today issued a slew of guidelines, including appointing management professionals as court masters, for effective administration of judicial works and improvement of infrastructure in courts across the country.
The apex court said that a sound infrastructure is the linchpin of a strong and stable judicial system and directed a number of measures, including professionally qualified court managers, electronic case display, CCTV cameras at proper locations within the court complex, video conference equipments, electricity, sufficient parking space, connectivity to jails and dispensary etc.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said that court masters, preferably with an MBA degree, be appointed in judicial districts to assist in court administration.
The apex court directed Chief Secretaries of all the states to constitute a committee, which will include a members of Secretary of the Department of Law and an officer from the High Court of the respective state, to formulate development plan.
The bench sought a status report in this regard while listing the matter for further hearing on August 23.
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"It needs to be understood that without a robust infrastructure, the judiciary would not be able to function at its optimum level and, in turn, would fail to deliver the desired results," the court said, adding that "a court complex is not just a building. It is the building of justice which breathes and infuses life into the exalted and sublime ideals of justice."
It said that raising the infrastructure standards in court complexes is the need of the hour as it is the basic requirement for the courts in the 21st century and that the idea of speedy and quality justice dispensation system cannot be treated with status quoist approach.
The court asked all the states to ensure basic amenities including adequate seating space for litigant public and lawyers, electricity, air-conditioning, clean drinking water, washrooms separately for men, women, transgenders and physically handicapped persons and canteens at nominal rates in all the courts across the country.
It directed the authorities to ensure that all the court complexes are conducive and friendly for the differently-abled.
It said it was necessary to establish a working and fully operational help desk at major points in all court premises.
It also said that "access to justice will forever remain an illusory notion if access to courts is not ensured" and directed the authorities to ensure end to end connectivity of public transport systems for court premises between major public transport points and court complexes.
The bench also said that time and again, when there are court proceedings which are well covered by the media, the crowd management in court premises runs into utter chaos and directed that measures must be taken in this regard.
It directed "functional as well as effective" day-care facility for the children, between six months to six years, of lawyers bar association staff and officers and employees of court registry must also be constructed.
"That apart, the courts should have a proper atmosphere for children and vulnerable witnesses," it said, adding that there should be adequate residential accommodation for judicial officers and court staff.
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