Bhubaneshwar:
Orissa High Court today stressed on the use of video conferencing facilities to produce the accused under judicial custody in courts and help to improve the judicial administration through e-courts project.
An under-trial prisoner (UTP) under judicial custody is required to be produced before the court once in every fortnight till the chargesheet is filed.
The recent High Court suggestion for more and more use of video conferences for this purpose is aimed at reducing pendency of cases. But the facility will also help the state government as it has to make heavy security arrangements along with escort party to transport UTPs to courts from jails and vice versa, said Project Coordinator T P Rath.
In recent days, the courts in Odisha have witnessed heavy gatherings in court premises during the production of arrested fake godmen and the escort parties face difficulties in giving them full protection.
"We are now providing video conference facilities to at least 42 more courts and equal number of jails in the State under the e-courts project. This facility is already in place in all the district courts and circle jails of the State," he said.
Mr Rath said at least Rs 3 lakh is being spent in every unit of video conference which requires audio, video facilities, computers, dedicated power and communication lines for internet to function.
"The State government must come forward to extend adequate cooperation for successful implementation of e-courts projects in the state," he added.