Net gain: SC to accept e-pleas now

Litigants won't have to make endless trips to court to file a petition - they can do it online, reports Satya Prakash.

Internet revolution has finally reached the Supreme Court. Starting next month, litigants won't have to make endless trips to the court to file a petition - they can do it online.

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"Everything is ready. Just a few technicalities to be sorted out," Supreme Court Registrar General VK Jain told HT. "We have already tied up with ICICI Bank for collection of court fee," he said.

Jain, however, made it clear that the petitions filed must conform to Supreme Court rules and e-filing will be optional, not mandatory.

Asked if lawyers and litigants used to the paperwork would resist the change, the Registrar General said that was unlikely. "Why should they oppose it? After all, they are the ones who will benefit from it. They won't have to visit the Registry and won't have to buy files and stamps," he said.

Jain said even the defects in the petitions can be removed online. "The Registry will inform the litigant/lawyer about the defects and they can correct them online. Once that's done, the Registry will give a date for hearing the petition."

Asked if the judges will get to see the petitions online, Jain said, "No. Initially, the Registry will download the petitions and prepare files for the judges."