Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench launches an RTI Portal, Court eMalkhana and e-CarPass System to improve digital record-keeping, transparency and access to court services.
KOHIMA — The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on Friday launched three digital initiatives—an RTI Portal for the district judiciary of Nagaland, Court eMalkhana and the High Court e-CarPass System—at Nyguyusem Multipurpose Hall, Kohima.
Justice Devashis Baruah, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, was present at the launch.
In a presentation, Boduve Peter Resu, Joint Registrar (Judicial) and CPC, eCourts, explained that the Court eMalkhana system was developed to address challenges in maintaining reliable records of case properties and articles seized during investigations and deposited in court malkhanas.
He said the system establishes a digital link between physical case properties and their electronic records. Physical articles can also be associated with QR codes, enabling a centralised digital record-keeping system.
Explaining the e-CarPass System, Resu said it has two key features—application and verification of passes. Applicants can submit their details through the system, and once approved, security personnel at the gate can verify the pass digitally.
He added that the system also facilitates vehicle re-parking within a designated compound, with QR codes enabling access to relevant vehicle details.
On the RTI Portal, Resu said it had been developed exclusively for the district courts of Nagaland.
The portal enables Public Information Officers (PIOs) in the districts to receive and process RTI applications digitally, including scanning and uploading documents for applicants.
He said a payment gateway had also been incorporated, allowing applicants to pay the prescribed INR 10 RTI fee directly to the PIO. The portal can be accessed from home and is aimed at promoting transparency and ease of access.
Resu also expressed hope that other government agencies and departments would develop similar RTI portals to enhance transparency.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Devashis Baruah spoke about the need for further digitisation at the Kohima Bench.
He said the court was working towards introducing e-filing, but implementation had been delayed due to the pending amendment of the Court Fees Act by the state government.
He said the Advocate General had assured that the necessary amendment would be carried out soon.
Justice Baruah said the introduction of e-filing would pave the way for paperless courts and contribute to greater transparency.
He added that digitisation could enable appeals to be taken up more promptly and facilitate quicker correction of errors.
The programme also included eCourts training for advocates and advocates' clerks, conducted in collaboration with the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), as well as a panel discussion on Article 371A of the Constitution of India.