Manipur High Court launches hybrid functioning, mandatory e-filing in district courts

As part of efforts to modernise court proceedings and improve accessibility to courts for lawyers and litigants, the Manipur High Court has notified the launch of a hybrid mode of functioning in district courts from July 1. .The initiative is part of a slew of e-court projects launched under the aegis of Manipur High Court Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul, and computer committee members, Justices A Bimol Singh and A Guneshwar Sharma. To launch this project, the Manipur government has sanctioned an amount of ₹13.36 crores, which was used to procure various equipment such as Interactive Touch Screen Displays for paperless courts, Ultra HD Professional Displays, cameras, video recording and streaming devices, microphones, speakers, VC software licences etc. The High Court has also entered into a lease agreement with RailTel with the aim of ensuring robust internet connectivity in all courts of the State. From July 1, advocates and litigants would be allowed to appear before district courts in Manipur through video conferencing, as per a notification issued by the Manipur High Court on June 28. The video conferencing/ hybrid hearings would be conducted in accordance with the High Court of Manipur (Video-Conferencing for Courts) Rules, 2020.All district courts have been instructed to provide a link for attending hearings through video conferencing as well as a helpline on their respective official websites. .Further, the High Court has also intimated that e-filing would be made mandatory in district courts for the filing of new cases. In urgent cases, the presiding officer of the court may given an exemption from e-filing the case, provided that the advocate completes the e-filings within ten days thereafter and gives a report to the court that the case has been e-filed.As per a notification informing of this initiative, a hard copy of the e-filed case would also have to be submitted on the same day for listing the case. However, exemptions from having to physically submit the casefile on the same day may be given where there is some difficulty to do so, once the advocate informs a court official via e-mail of the reasons for the same. This e-filing initiative is being launched on a pilot basis in district courts, with the goal of expanding the project to other courts in the State in due time upon the successful implementation of the pilot project..In another notification issued the same day, the High Court has also informed that it is making the use of e-office processes mandatory for handling its administrative and financial matters from July 1.The notification adds that exemptions from having to use the e-office process would be allowed in matters that involve files containing sensitive information. In such cases, the power to exempt will lie with the Registrar General of the High Court.Similarly, the Registrar General is empowered to grant an exemption in instances where the e-office procedure could potentially cause delays in the filing process.In cases where the Registrar General has given an exemption only for a moment, the concerned officer/staff shall be responsible for uploading the said file in the e-office system within ten days of such exemption."All officers and staff are required to adhere to this directive and ensure compliance. Furthermore, all concerned sections must ensure that all notifications and circulars are uploaded into the e-office system. Any violation of this circular will be liable for disciplinary action," the notification further states..Moreover, an Inventory Management System and a Vehicle Management System has also been launched at the High Court, for managing the movement of court files. This system will be made mandatory from July 1 onwards. Exemptions from having to enter details into this new system will be granted only by the Registrar General on a case-to-case basis. All concerned sections of the High Court have been ordered to ensure that data is promptly entered into the newly launched system. .[Read Press Release]. [Read e-office notification].[Read e-filing notification].[Read notification regarding VC hearings].[Read notification on Inventory Management System]