With cheque-bounce cases forming over 10 percent of India’s backlog of pending litigations, Kerala has taken a pioneering step to streamline the delivery of justice.
The state has launched the country’s first 24×7 ON Court (Open Network Court) in Kollam, dedicated to resolving disputes under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Spearheaded by the Kerala High Court’s Computer Committee in collaboration with the Public Collective for Avoidance and Resolution of Disputes (PUCAR), this innovative judicial system operates round-the-clock from the Kollam Collectorate complex.
It marks a significant milestone in modernizing India’s judiciary and tackling its mounting caseload efficiently.
Cheque-bounce cases
Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1988, aims to deter the bouncing of cheques by prescribing stringent penalties, including imprisonment of up to two years, a fine up to twice the cheque amount, or both.
While the amendment sought to strengthen financial accountability, it inadvertently burdened the judiciary with a significant surge in cases.
According to PUCAR, which carried out extensive studies on disputes over bounced cheques, despite the Act’s directive to resolve cheque bounce cases within six months, these disputes—often straightforward—drag on for two to four years, hampered by procedural inefficiencies and repeated hearings.
With cheque-bounce cases constituting nearly 10% of India’s pending criminal cases, the need for judicial impact assessments becomes glaringly evident.
Litigants, spanning financial firms, non-financial firms, and individuals, face prolonged uncertainty, undermining trust in the judicial process and emphasising the critical need for streamlined resolution mechanisms.
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The initiative
Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavi inaugurated the 24X7 ON Court on 16 August, at an event held at the Kerala High Court. The special court started functioning on Wednesday, 20 November.
The state home department on 17 November, through a gazette notification, notified the establishment of a Special Court of the Judicial Magistrate of the First Class for trial of cases under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (24X7 ON Court).
24X7 ON Court
In his inaugural speech, Justice Gavai called the initiative a transformative step towards achieving a faster and more efficient judicial system.
Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque then highlighted that the ON Court project marks a pivotal move in easing the burden on India’s judiciary by streamlining processes for litigants and advocates alike.
He also remarked that the concerned should take courts to the people instead of people coming to the courts and grow innovations that take justice to citizens.
Meanwhile, in a promotional video released by the Kerala High Court in August, Justice Raja, member, the Computer Committee said that the initiative will be a gamechanger as all the institutions converge and forward the requisite documents to the court so that the litigants may not have to run from pillar to post.
Justice CS Dias said that it is obligatory on the part of the courts to give the information to the litigant as well as to the counsel at their fingertips. He also added that the litigant and the counsel should be guided and supported by any questions they ask.
Justice Dias opined that the new initiative will make the entire system transparent and accessible to all the stakeholders and it will drastically reduce the life of litigation.
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How ON Court works?
The 24×7 ON Court operates in a hybrid mode, enabling parties to choose between virtual and in-person participation.
The lawyers and litigants can file applications, and produce evidence without the need to go to the court and have to wait there.
According to Justice Mohammed Nias CP, member Computer Committee of Kerala High Court, the court will admit cases, reissue summons, and take up the applications asynchronously without scheduling a hearing like normal courts.
Its key features include:
– Round-the-clock access: Litigants can file cases, upload documents, and pay court fees anytime using the e-Treasury system.
– Real-time updates: Dashboards offer real-time case status, hearing dates, and actions taken.
– Digital summons: Summons can be sent electronically via the iCops system, ensuring faster communication with accused parties and police stations.
– Integration with institutions: Seamless document sharing with banks, police, and treasury departments facilitates efficient case management.
Officials concerned said the platform is designed to minimise procedural delays and errors through smart tools such as assisted filing and error correction mechanisms.
Also, advocates can efficiently manage schedules, file applications, and even attend hearings remotely. Training sessions are also being conducted to familiarise lawyers with the new system.
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Paperless judiciary
Another key feature of the initiative is its broader effort to digitise the judiciary. The court is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced computers and cameras.
It supports a fully paperless workflow, from e-filing to virtual hearings, making legal processes more environmentally friendly and accessible.
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Four APIs
PUCAR had earlier stated that the ON Court will redefine judicial processes with its people-centric and tech-enabled approach and will operate round-the-clock, enabling litigants, lawyers, and judges to engage asynchronously from anywhere, anytime.
It also pointed out that seamlessly integrating with external institutions through consent-based interactions eliminates the need for citizens to navigate bureaucratic hurdles. Moreover, litigants will now receive proactive alerts and personalised guidance, transforming the court experience into one of accessibility and efficiency.
Another key feature is the high court’s decision to make four application programming interfaces (APIs)—case status, metadata, telemetry, and orders/judgments—publicly available to foster an ecosystem of transparency and innovation.
The ON Court project is one of several digitisation efforts introduced by the Kerala judiciary. Other initiatives launched alongside it include a digital library, a model digital courtroom, and an online dispute resolution system.
The 24×7 ON Court represents a paradigm shift in India’s justice delivery system, setting a benchmark for integrating technology into judicial processes.
If successful, it could be replicated across the country.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
