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Granting further 3 weeks to the Delhi Government to reply on the question of a budgetary estimate to set up hybrid-hearing infrastructure at quasi judicial bodies (tribunals) and subordinate courts, the Delhi High Court today said that it is pressing for the set-up to be done quickly to face the eventuality of any increase in Covid-19 cases, 

"The apprehension is that by that time, everything should be in place. It has to be done on a quicker footing. It can't take so long."

A bench comprising of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh was hearing a plea praying for Delhi's subordinate courts and quasi judicial bodies to have hybrid hearing set-ups to provide for counsels who have co-morbidities and may be unable to attend hearings physically.

The court had earlier expressed concern on how the budgetary estimate for the purpose was revised to Rs. 79 crore and approved by the Delhi Government without the involvement of experts. Upon this the Government today informed court that meetings were scheduled for today and tomorrow between different officials including the IT Department of GNCTD on the aspect.

The court has therefore granted the government further 3 weeks' time to file its compliance report on the subject.

Earlier the court had expressed dissatisfaction at the half page status report filed by the GNCTD) in the matter.

The division bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh had perused the affidavit filed by GNCTD and said, “There seems to be little sensitivity shown by the GNCTD in the matter of providing requisite infrastructure for functioning of Virtual Courts in relation to the District Courts, other Courts & other quasi-judicial bodies in the NCT of Delhi during the pandemic.”

The court had directed the GNCTD to file a better status report by the next date.

It had also warned the Delhi Government that in case the said proposal is turned down by the Delhi Government, it would be directed to place before the Court complete statement of the expenditure incurred by it April 1, 2020 onwards, on the grant of subsidies and public advertisements. 

Cause Title: Anil Kumar Hajelay vs Hon'ble High Court of Delhi & Ors.