E-Seva Kendras established to bridge the digital divide and extend assistance to lawyers and litigants

Ministry of Law and Justice has issued clarifications regarding E-Seva Kendras established to bridge the digital divide and extend assistance to lawyers and litigants. Under eCourts Mission Mode Project Phase II, eSewa Kendras have been established in High Courts and District Courts across the country. These centers located in court complexes, have been instituted to bridge the digital divide and extend assistance to lawyers and litigants. These kendras aim to serve as a one-stop centre offering free of cost information on court cases/orders/judgments, facilitation of court related matters, and e-filing services, particularly benefiting those who may lack access to technology or reside in remote areas.

A total of 875 eSewa Kendras have been established for District Courts nationwide, underscoring the positive impact of this initiative in providing valuable services to legal practitioners and litigants. Following services are provided at eSewa Kendras for litigants and lawyers:

1. Handling inquiries about case status, next date of hearing and other details.
2. Facilitate online Applications for certified copies.
3. Facilitate e-Filing of petitions right from the scanning of hard copy petitions, appending eSignatures, uploading them onto CIS and generation of filing number.
4. To assist in online purchase of e-Stamp papers/ePayments.
5. To help in applying and obtaining Aadhaar based digital signature.
6. Publicise and assist in downloading the Mobile App of eCourts for Android and IOS.
7. Facilitate in the booking of eMulakat appointments for meeting relatives in jail.
8. Handling queries about Judges on leave.
9. Guide people on how to avail free legal services from the District Legal Service Authority, High Court Legal Service Committee and Supreme Court Legal Service Committee.
10. Facilitate disposal of traffic challan in virtual Courts as also online compounding of traffic challans and other petty offences.
11. Explaining the method of arranging and holding a video conference court hearing.
12. Provide soft copies of judicial orders/judgments via email, WhatsApp or any other available mode.

The establishment of eSewa Kendras thus facilitates virtual hearings, scanning services, and access to eCourts facilities, enhancing overall efficiency and thus contributing to time saving, eliminating extensive travel, and reducing costs.