Karnataka HC Directs State To Decide On Giving Video Conferencing Facilities To Judicial And Quasi Judicial Bodies

WHAT DID THE COURT SAY

• The Karnataka High Court directed the State to decide on providing video conferencing facilities to both Judicial and Quasi judicial bodies.
• The decision was given by the Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj.
• The provisions in the Disaster Management Act were considered.
• It was stated that all authorities must be well equipped in view of the approaching third wave of COVID 19.

WHAT WERE THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN

• Priority was to be given to Quasi Judicial bodies for providing video conferencing facilities.
• The State was directed to identify all the Quasi Judicial bodies first.
• Judicial bodies were to be equipped with the video conferencing technologies in a phased manner.
• It has been directed that the State has to give a statement by July 13 on this matter.
• The State also has to disclose whether there are any existing Quasi Judicial bodies with this kind of video conferencing setup.

BACKGROUND

• This direction was given when the Court was listening to a petition which was highlighting the issue of illegal construction.
• The petition is pending before the Assistant Commissioner under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.
• A time extension to file the appeal has been given by the Court, to the Assistant Commissioner.
• Appeals have to be filed by 6th August 2021.

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