E-Courts Make HC Bench Demand In Western Odisha Irrelevant: Union Minister

Bhubaneswar: Amid demand from different quarters for a bench of the Orissa High Court in western Odisha, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday said there is no need for the this in view of rapid technological development and establishment of e-courts.

Moreover, the recommendations of the Chief Minister, Chief Justice of the respective state HC, and subsequently recommendation of the Chief Justice of India are necessary for setting up of any separate High Court bench, the Minister told reporters.

Stressing that a lot of development is taking place in the e-courts project, Meghawal said that Odisha is also doing better than other states as far as the e-courts project is concerned.

The work for e-courts has been taken up along with the High Court bench, he said, adding that the virtual facilities provided through e-courts are similar to High Court bench facilities.

“As the e-court project has been making progress in Odisha, I think the demand of permanent High Court bench will not be relevant any longer. People can get the facilities of High Court in other districts as well,” the Union Minister said.