Lok Sabha Question No. 3143 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Virtual Courts in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3143 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13 th DECEMBER, 2024

## Virtual Courts in Andhra Pradesh

## 3143. SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of Virtual Courts including their scope and functionalities established across the country;
- (b) whether a Virtual Court has been established in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the steps taken by the Government towards establishing one, along with the expected timeline for establishment;
- (d) whether the Government has plans to expand the scope of Virtual Courts beyond handling traffic challans and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to encourage High Courts to establish Virtual Benches, with a particular focus on initiatives for Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) : Virtual Court is aimed at eliminating the physical presence of litigant or lawyer in the court and for adjudication of cases on a virtual platform. This concept has been evolved in order to efficiently utilize court resources and to provide the litigants with an effective avenue to settle petty disputes while adhering to all the judicial processes. Virtual Court can be administered by a Judge over a virtual electronic platform whose jurisdiction may extend to the entire State and function 24x7. Neither litigant nor Judge would have to

physically visit a court for effective adjudication and resolution. Communication would only be in electronic form and sentencing / payment of fine or compensation would also be accomplished online. These courts may be used for disposal of cases where there may be proactive admission of guilt by the accused or proactive compliance by the defendant on receipt of the summons and electronic form as in the cases of traffic violations. Such matters are generally treated as disposed of after the payment of the due fine etc.

As on 31.10.2024, 27 Virtual Courts in 21 States / UTs viz. Delhi (2), Haryana, Chandigarh, Gujarat (2), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala (2), Maharashtra , Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir (2), Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (2), Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Manipur (2), have been operationalized to handle traffic challan cases. More than 6 crore cases have been handled by these virtual courts and an online fine of more than Rs. 649.81 crore has been realized till 31.10.2024.

(b) and (c): No. At present, there is no Virtual Court functioning in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The establishment of Virtual Courts is an administrative matter which falls within the purview and domain of the judiciary and respective State Governments.

(d) : Under phase-III of the eCourts Project, there is a component for establishment and expansion of scope of Virtual Courts beyond traffic challan cases. An outlay of Rs. 413.08 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.

(e): The establishment of Virtual Bench is an administrative matter which falls within the purview and domain of the respective State Governments and the concerned High Court.

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