Have asked all High Courts to conduct online hearings: CJI Surya Kant amid fuel crisis

CJI Surya Kant has urged High Courts across India to promote virtual hearings, saying technology can make justice more accessible as courts increasingly adopt hybrid and online systems.

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has urged all High Courts across the country to encourage online hearings and expand the use of virtual court proceedings. He noted that most High Courts have already implemented virtual hearing systems in some form.

The remarks came during the hearing of a plea seeking the introduction of online hearings in all courts across Delhi.

Demand Raised for Online Hearings in District Courts

During the proceedings, an advocate cited national interest while requesting that district courts across India conduct hearings online for the next three months. Responding to the plea, the Chief Justice stated that district courts function under the administrative control of their respective High Courts.

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He added that High Courts have already been requested to consider implementing virtual hearings in district courts as well.

Virtual Hearings Should Remain Voluntary

CJI Surya Kant clarified that online hearings should be treated as a voluntary arrangement for both the Bar and the Bench. According to him, technology can make judicial processes more accessible and efficient, but such measures should be adopted based on convenience and consensus rather than compulsion.

Fuel Saving and Cost Reduction Behind the Push

Earlier this week, amid concerns over rising fuel costs and the ongoing West Asia crisis, the Chief Justice had requested High Courts to conduct hearings virtually on Mondays and Fridays. Following this, the Supreme Court also decided to hear cases through video conferencing on those two days.

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As part of broader efforts to reduce expenses and conserve fuel, Supreme Court judges have also reportedly decided to promote car pooling. The move is being linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce government expenditure.

Technology Becoming Central to Judicial Functioning

The use of virtual hearings has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court and several High Courts now regularly function in hybrid mode, allowing lawyers and litigants from distant regions to participate more conveniently in proceedings.