The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh’s notification of the Video Conferencing (Nyaya Shruti) Rules, 2025, marks a watershed moment in the digital transformation of the judiciary. This reform seeks to untangle one of the most persistent problems in the legal system: procedural delays arising from the physical unavailability of key participants. In an era where technology permeates every facet of life, the formal integration of video conferencing into court proceedings is timely and necessary. The foundational justification behind the Nyaya Shruti Rules lies in their alignment with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a statute that underscores the importance of digitising procedural law. The High Court’s notification is a proactive step that both supplements and operationalises this broader legislative vision. By enabling the participation of undertrials, witnesses, advocates, and public servants through secure electronic means, the judiciary is setting the stage for speedier, more accessible justice.
The scope of these rules is impressively wide. From framing charges to recording pleas, conducting trials, and even pronouncing judgements, nearly every procedural activity is now possible via end-to-end encrypted video conferencing platforms. This will also reduce the costs and logistical complexities of transporting accused persons from jails or coordinating the presence of far-flung witnesses and experts. Importantly, the Nyaya Shruti Rules maintain a keen awareness of security, privacy, and procedural sanctity. The mandated use of multi-factor authentication, audit trails, and encrypted communication platforms addresses many of the concerns typically associated with digital hearings-namely, unauthorised access, impersonation, and data breaches. Courtroom coordinators serve as gatekeepers to uphold these standards, ensuring each virtual proceeding is as sacrosanct as its physical counterpart.
Yet, while technological robustness is crucial, the rules distinguish themselves through their humane and inclusive outlook. Special provisions for vulnerable witnesses-including the availability of translators, sign language interpreters, and visual readers-indicate a system attuned to the needs of marginalised individuals. The rules do more than just digitise-they democratise the justice process. Equally significant is the attention paid to infrastructure. The rules don’t presume readiness but actively call for the modernisation of courtrooms, prisons, police stations, and other institutions. By mandating the establishment of dedicated VC centres and upgrading equipment-high-speed internet, noise-cancelling microphones, and LED displays-the rules attempt to bridge the digital divide that often separates urban courts from their rural counterparts. Simultaneously, the strength of the Nyaya Shruti framework lies in its careful balance between openness and confidentiality. While promoting the principle of open courts by allowing public access to virtual proceedings, it preserves judicial discretion to order in-camera hearings when needed. This reflects an understanding of the nuanced demands of different cases, especially those involving sensitive testimony or vulnerable parties.
However, the implementation of such far-reaching digital rules is not without challenges. Questions of digital literacy, especially among senior members of the Bar and rural litigants, must be addressed through systematic training and orientation programs. Technological glitches, though minimised through infrastructure upgrades, remain an ever-present risk. The judiciary must also guard against the temptation of over-reliance on virtual hearings in situations where physical presence enhances the delivery or perception of justice.
Moreover, while the rules repeal the 2021 framework, they wisely ensure that past proceedings conducted under the old rules remain valid, provided they don’t conflict with the new regime. This continuity reinforces legal certainty and avoids procedural confusion. In the broader picture, the Nyaya Shruti Rules embody the judiciary’s embrace of a future-forward ethos. They reaffirm the court’s role not just as an adjudicator but as an enabler of timely, inclusive, and technologically agile justice. This marks a historic milestone for the judicial system of J&K. While the road ahead is challenging, a strong beginning sets the tone for success. Every stakeholder must fulfil their role with diligence and precision to ensure effective implementation. In this digital era, delivering justice at the doorstep is not just a possibility-it is a promise on the verge of realisation.
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