In The Age Of Information And Communication, We Are Still Looking For The Pegions To Communicate The Orders: N V Ramana

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

• CJI, NV Ramana was leading a Bench which was hearing a case on the issue relating to the delay in the release of prisoners after the bail is granted.
• N V Ramana was disappointed to know that the prisoners were still not released even after the Court passed the orders for releasing them, stating that they did not receive copies of the order.
• The Apex Court took suo moto cognizance after the reports of delay by Uttar Pradesh officials in releasing 13 prisoners, who were granted bail on July 8.
• The Attorney General for India, KK Venugopal and the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta agreed that it was a wrong practice.
• The State Government in its defence stated instances where fake and fabricated orders were presented. Hence, the jail authorities needed authenticated documents.

COURT’S OBSERVATION

• CJI, N V Ramana said that Supreme Court is planning to evolve a system that would electronically transmit bail orders directly to prison authorities to avoid delay of release of prisoners who are awaiting certifies copy of the order.
• He further said that in this time of technology, a scheme called FASTER must be implemented.
• He directed the Secretary General of Supreme Court to submit the report within two weeks time, so that the scheme can be implemented in a month.
• He also asked the State Governments about the availability of internet connection in the jails or else the transmission won’t be possible.

FASTER

• It is short for Fast and Secure Transmission of Electronic Records.
• It is an innovative scheme, through a secure communication channel, for the delivery of orders passed by Apex Court to the concerned prisons.
• This initiative was taken to save time, effort and to ensure that, there will be no delays in the implementation of orders which are passed by the Apex Court.
• A comprehensive report formulating a scheme on this will be submitted by Secretary General of the Supreme Court.

OTHER EMINENT MEMBERS PRESENT

• CJI asked Senior Advocate, Dushyant Dave to assist the Court as amicus curiae.
• Other members of the Bench consisted Justice L Nageswara Rao and A S Bopanna.

Do you think this is a good initiative?