The Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered the constitution of a committee to address issues relating to judicial administration in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep [Suo Motu v Union of India & ors].The committee will be called the 'Lakshadweep Judicial Administration and Infrastructure Committee' and will include the Registrar General of the High Court, Principal District Judge, District Collector, nominee of the administrator, Superintendent of Police, Superintendent Engineer, Registrar Computerisation and a representative of the National Informatics Centre (NIC).A nominee of the Lakshadweep Administrator will also be part of the body, while the Principal District Judge at Kavaratti has been designated as the committee's coordinator.The judgment was rendered by a bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Ziyad Rahman AA."We are of the opinion that these continued efforts and co-ordination between the High Court Administration, the Legal Services Authority, and the UT Administration will bring about a tangible and effective change at the ground level in the Union Territory. However, for long term solutions, these informal initiatives need to be formalised in the form of a permanent committee - 'Lakshadweep Judicial Administration and Infrastructure Committee'," the Court said. .The Bench passed the directions in a suo motu matter concerning the improvement of the judicial system in Lakshadweep.The case was initiated after issues related to persistent judicial infrastructure and manpower challenges, caused by the geographical dispersion of the islands, was brought to the notice of the Court.In January 2025, the administrative side of the High Court had filed a response stating that while Lakshadweep has 10 inhabited islands, court services are only available on three. It said that this impedes the ability of residents in other islands to seek legal recourse for their grievances..In its judgment, the Court noted that Lakshadweep consists of 36 islands, but judicial administration exists only on three islands - Kavaratti, Amini and Andrott. This means access to justice system for the residents across other islands is limited, the Court noted.It observed that a structured institutional mechanism would be necessary to address the issues faced by the residents of Lakshadweep to access the justice system.Thus, it directed the committee to conduct meetings at least three times annually, with one in person session in Kavaratti District Headquarters every year.The President of the Lakshadweep Bar Association should be invited to such meetings to ensure local inputs, monitor progress and secure consensus-driven resolutions, the Court said."The Lakshadweep Judicial Administration and Infrastructure Committee will hold periodical meetings to review the progress of various initiatives, at least three times a year, physically or online. Preferably, at least one meeting in a year will be held physically at the District Headquarters at Kavaratti," the judgment said.The Court also identified priority issues for the committee, including the establishment of e-Sewa Kendras on each inhabited island, approval and adoption of electronic filing rules, provisions of electricity through inverters and solar panels and strengthening of optical fibre connectivity for video conferencing and e-filing.It also emphasised on finalising the recruitment rules for judicial and court staff, creation of a separate judicial cadre for the Union Territory and for setting up recruitment protocols for public prosecutors.Further, the Court directed the committee to look into the construction, repair and maintenance of court buildings and Legal Services Authority premises and establishment of institutions and officials under laws such as Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 etc.The committee has also been tasked with preparing a protocol for filling judicial vacancies in advance and addressing gaps in mental health care establishments.The Court made it clear that the committee should strive to function through consensus, and emphasised on the cooperation between the UT administration, the High Court and other stakeholders.It directed the committee to ensure timely implementation of its decision with reports of its meetings to be placed before the High Court's portfolio and nominated judges. Importantly, the Court left scope for continued oversight by allowing the committee coordinator or the portfolio/nominated judge to hold meetings and guide the committee's work.Further, it noted the unique legal status of 'Mukhtyars' of Lakshadweep and recognised their potential role in mediation despite their gradual phasing out due to the advent of formal advocates..[Read Judgment]
