Shimla - Marking a departure from the past, Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh on Monday unveiled the Virtual Courts of Mobile Traffic Magistrates for the speedy disposal of Motor Vehicle Challans in the state.
The inauguration took place via video conferencing and was attended by Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Justice Satyen Vaidya, Justice Sushil Kukreja, and Justice Virender Singh.
These Virtual Courts aim to mark a transition towards paperless proceedings and reduce the number of physical appearances in courts.
It would come as a big relief for people and for clearing the backlog of over 2 lakh challans pending in the courts in Himachal Pradesh.
The initiative was first set in motion in 2019, and the first Virtual Court was successfully established in Shimla on December 30, 2021.
The Virtual Court of Mobile Traffic Magistrate in Shimla alone has achieved remarkable results, disposing of 1932 cases through the Virtual Court Application and collecting a total fine of Rs. 39,84,250/-.
During the inauguration, Chief Justice Rao emphasized that access to justice is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.
To uphold this principle and ensure unfettered access, adequate infrastructure, both physical and digital, must be provided to the courts.
The Chief Justice expressed his belief that the inauguration of Virtual Courts in five districts—Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, and Kinnaur—will greatly benefit the public.
Litigants will no longer have to travel long distances for the disposal of their challans, and the backlog of Motor Vehicle Challans in courts is expected to decrease significantly.
The Chief Justice concluded by stating his faith in the judiciary's commitment to its purpose and its continued dedication to serving the people with passion and enthusiasm.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Registrars, the Director of H.P. Judicial Academy, the Central Project Coordinator, and officers and officials from the High Court Registry. District & Sessions Judges and other Judicial Officers from the respective District Courts also participated virtually.