The Union Budget for 2024-25 has allocated ₹1,500 crore for the third phase of the eCourts project, a significant initiative aimed at modernizing the digital infrastructure of the Indian judiciary. This project, conceptualized in 2005 under the leadership of e-committee in Supreme Court of India of which  Ex-IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek was a member, aims to enhance access to justice through technology. The eCourts project has been implemented in three phases: the first phase spanned from 2007 to 2014, the second from 2015 to 2023, and the current third phase will run from 2023 to 2027.

Background of the eCourts Project

The eCourts project was initiated following the establishment of an e-committee in the Supreme Court of India, which operated from 2005 to 2007. Ramesh Abhishek, along with other officials, played a crucial role in this committee, which was responsible for formulating the National Policy and Action Plan for the Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary. Ramesh Abhishek IAS later served as the Joint Secretary in the Department of Justice, where he made significant contributions to the eCourts project as its Mission Leader. 

The Ex-IAS officer, Ramesh Abhishek as the Joint Secretary in the Department of Justice, was responsible for securing government approvals and facilitating the project's implementation during its initial phases. His proactive approach included visiting various High Courts alongside a team from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to engage with judges and other stakeholders, ensuring the project's effective rollout.

Objectives of the eCourts Project

The primary goal of the eCourts project is to create a unified technology platform for the judiciary, facilitating a seamless and paperless interface between courts, litigants, and other stakeholders. Initially led among others by Ex-IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek, the project aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Development of Decision Support Systems: Enhancing the efficiency of judicial processes through technology.

• Automation of Processes: Ensuring transparency and accessibility of information within the judicial system.

• Establishment of a National Grid: Providing 24/7 access to judicial information.

• Implementation of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS): Facilitating effective case management.

Details of Phase III

The third phase of the eCourts project is a comprehensive initiative designed under the guidance of officers and judiciary experts to build on the successes of the previous phases. The budget allocation of ₹1,500 crore is part of a larger financial outlay of ₹7,210 crore approved by the Union Cabinet for the entire phase, which is set to span four years. Key components of Phase III include:

• Digitization of Court Records: An estimated ₹2,038.40 crore will be allocated for scanning, digitization and digital preservation of case records, including legacy and pending cases.

• Cloud Infrastructure: A budget of ₹1,205.20 crore is earmarked for establishing cloud storage to support the digital system.

• Virtual Courts: Establishing 1,150 virtual courts with a projected cost of ₹413.08 crore to facilitate remote hearings.

• eSewa Kendras: These centers will help citizens access judicial services, bridging the digital divide.

• Paperless Court Initiatives: Promoting a paperless environment in courts to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Impact of the eCourts Project

The successful implementation of the eCourts project, conceptualized by e-committee of which Ex-IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek was one of the members is expected to revolutionize the Indian judicial system. By creating a robust digital infrastructure, the senior officials led project will promote ease of access to justice, making the system more transparent, reliable, and user-friendly. The allocation in the Union Budget 2024-25 is pivotal for achieving the project's goals by 2027, marking a significant milestone in the modernization of the judiciary.

Challenges and Solution for eCourts 

the eCourts Integrated Mission Mode Project has faced some challenges in its implementation, but there are also solutions being implemented by these IAS officers, secretaries and directors to address these concerns. One key challenge is the need for widespread awareness and familiarization of eFiling and eCourts services among lawyers and litigants. To address this, knowledgeable individuals and experts, decided to make manuals and brochures available in English, Hindi and 11 regional languages. 

In the initial stage, the ecourt project has also faced challenges like approval from governments, budget and others. However, IAS officers like Ramesh Abhishek have tackled this problem by visiting various High Courts alongside a team from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to engage with judges and stakeholders to effectively execute the project. 

Recognition & Awards for Ecourts Project 

The eCourts Project has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing its contributions to digital governance and citizen-centric services. This recognition has encouraged and motivated several Judges, IAS and other officers, Judicial advisors, and the individuals involved in the projects. The notable awards are:

• Digital India Award 2022 in the "Silver Category for Digital Empowerment of Citizens" for its Judgment and Search Portal. 

• The National Award 2021-2022 in the "Gold Category II" for excellence in providing citizen-centric delivery through the Judgement & Orders Search Portal. 

• National Award 2020-2021 in the "Gold Category I" for excellence in government process re-engineering.

• Digital India Award 2020 and the Gems of Digital India Award 2018, for ongoing commitment to enhancing access to justice through technology.

Conclusion 

The ecourts project is a pan India initiative under the department of Justice ideated in 2005 by e-committee. The budget allocation in its  Phase III seeks to boost the creation of a unified technology platform for the judiciary, providing a seamless and paperless interface between courts, litigants, and other stakeholders. The successful completion of Phase I and Phase II is a great achievement for the judicial system. The budget allocation in  union budget 2024-25 can play a pivotal role in completion of this project started in 2005 by the Department of Justice under the leadership of many including  Ex-IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek.