Allahabad High Court wants FASTER implemented in UP for quick release of accused after bail

The Allahabad High Court recently directed the authorities in Uttar Pradesh to inform it about the steps being taken to implement FASTER (Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records) mechanism in the State..FASTER is a technology that makes it easy for courts to transmit orders to courts. It was launched by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana in 2022.Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal of the High Court took note of the fact that the Supreme Court in a number of cases has directed that once a bail order is issued by the concerned court, it should immediately be communicated to the jail authorities to avoid delay in release of prisoners.“Therefore, it would be appropriate that just like Delhi, in U.P. also. the Courts' orders, including the bail orders, should be electronically sent to the jails for the earliest release of the prisoners,” the Bench said..The single-judge, thus, directed the Director General (Prison) to appear before it on the next date through video conference and apprise the Court about the steps taken for effective implementation of this system so that the Courts' orders could be properly communicated to the prison authorities for earliest release of the prisoners.“The Deputy Director General, NIC as well as Director General (Prison), U.P. will also inform this Court on the next date of listing whether the FASTER (Fast and Secure Transmission of Electronic Record) System can be implemented in U.P. for transmission of eauthenticated copies of the interim orders, stay orders, bail orders etc. for compliance and due execution, through a secured electronic communication channel as directed by the Apex Court,” the Court further ordered..The Court was hearing a matter in which it had previously issued directions to the district judiciary regarding maintaining the process register and for proper implementation of the process of court (summons, warrants etc).On January 9, the Court was informed that the National Prisoner Information Portal is not functioning properly in UP. It directed the concerned authorities to look into the issue.The Court also took note of shortage of staff in the district courts and asked the Registrar General to apprise it about the action being taken to fill up the vacancies. It will hear the matter next on January 31..[Read Order]