Kerala has taken a significant step in modernizing its judicial system by establishing the country’s first digital court dedicated to handling cheque bounce cases. The new court, named 24*7 ONCOURTS, was inaugurated on August 16, 2024, in Kollam by Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai of the Supreme Court.

The digital court aims to streamline the adjudication process for disputes related to personal cheques, cashier’s cheques, money orders, certificates of deposit, promissory notes, and traveller’s cheques. This initiative is expected to alleviate the congestion in traditional courts and ensure speedy trials for these financial disputes.

Automation of Case Lifecycle

The ONCOURT project has automated the entire life cycle of a case, from filing to registration, admission, appearances, hearings, and the passing of judgments and orders. This automation is expected to increase productivity and reduce pendency, as cheque-bouncing cases constitute approximately 10% of the total cases in the state.

Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and non-executive chairman of Infosys, emphasized the potential impact of automation on the judicial system. He stated that if the process of dealing with cases under the Motor Vehicles Act, which make up another 10% or more of the total cases, is automated, 20 to 25% of cases will be resolved.

Integration of Technology and Courts

The integration of technology in the Kerala judiciary aims to make the process more accessible and predictable. The digital court will feature a smart scheduling system to ensure timely hearings and will provide support and guidance to litigants, informing them of their case status in real time.

The court will be linked with important institutions such as banks and the police, facilitating seamless exchange of information. Four APIs will be made available for case status, case metadata, orders, and judgments, making the information easily accessible.

Security and Online Dispute Resolution

The digital court will utilize cutting-edge technology for security, with plans to extend it to 14 courts in the state. The ‘We-Solv Vimaal Solution Maker’, an online dispute resolution system developed by the Kerala judiciary, was also launched on the occasion. 

This platform is designed to facilitate online deliberations among stakeholders, streamline the dispute resolution process, and enhance efficiency, accessibility, and transparency.

Modernizing the Judicial Infrastructure

The inauguration of the digital court was accompanied by the launch of several other initiatives aimed at modernizing the judicial infrastructure in Kerala. These include:

  • The CCTV surveillance unit, including a state-of-the-art control room in the high court complex
  • The Model Digital Courtroom was developed by the Kerala High Court to optimize the use of the Internet and computer technology in traditional courtrooms
  • The learning management system, digital district courts, and the annual report of the Kerala Judicial Academy