Madras High Court inaugurates e-filing, introduces 'E-bail bond' to ensure timely release of undertrial prisoners on bail

The Madras High Court Monday inaugurated its e-filing initiative which also has an e-bail bond system to ensure that there is no delay in release of undertrial prisoners who secure bail. .The electronic filing system has currently been made mandatory for Anticipatory bail applications only. However, Justice M Sundar, chairperson of the Digitisation Committee of the Madras High Court said that it will soon be extended to other petitions as well.While speaking at the inaugural event, Justice Sundar said that several members of the Bar have already become users of the e-filing system and proceeded to thank the lawyers for their enthusiasm and support. Justice Sundar went on to elaborate the components and advantages of the e-filing system, most significant of which is the 'E-bail bond system,' He said that it will ensure there are no delays in receipt of bail orders and that inmates do not continue to remain in prison even after grant of bail on the ground that the bail order is yet to be conveyed to the concerned prison authorities. The e-bail bonds module, he said, will ensure authenticity of the grant of bail, and "zero percent delay in respect of delivery of the bail copies to the prison concerned." "We have already done a pilot, it is operational and we have tested it. The staff concerned generates the e-bail bonds by providing necessary details such as section of law, bail bond amount, conditions imposed, witness response, prison concerned etc. The bonds so generated, each have a unique QR Code to ensure authenticity. Surety bond printed out and after signatures are received, they will be uploaded online on the CIS software. If the accused is present in Court then the bail bond will be printed out and signatures of the accused will be obtained and it will be uploaded on the software. If the accused is in jail, the bail bond copy will be emailed to the concerned prison along with digitally signed bail order and surety acceptance order. And then the bail bond will be printed out and signed by the accused enabling him to walk out of the prison immediately. Thereafter, the signed copy will reach the court and it will be uploaded on the software," Justice Sundar said. The e filing system will also provide litigants the option for receiving certified copies online or via courier at one's doorstep on payment of charges..Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) T Raja too lauded the Digitisation Committe's efforts and the Bar's response to the e-filing system. "With e-filing, a lawyer need not go to court physically for filing of case. E filing service can be availed from Pondicherry, from your home, even from your restroom.mif you are suffering from diarrhea, you can file even while sitting in the rest room," ACJ Raja said. "On a serious note, in a case that has multiple parties, say, 30 respondents, then if you are opting for conventional filing, you will need 30 copies. In e-filing, only one copy. Imagine the amount of money a lawyer can save," he added.