Question

The most significant advantage of e-courts in the Indian context is:

• A. Complete eradication of human element
• B. Enhanced accessibility and transparent case tracking
• C. Mandatory replacement of human judgement
• D. Mandatory online hearings

Hint:

For questions about technological interventions in governance, focus on the core objectives: efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. Extreme options like "complete eradication" or "mandatory replacement" are generally incorrect.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The e-Courts project in India is an initiative to computerize the justice delivery system. The goal is to leverage technology to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to justice for litigants and lawyers.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's evaluate the given options:
(A) Complete eradication of human element: This is neither possible nor desirable. Technology is a tool to assist, not replace, human roles like judges, lawyers, and court staff.
(B) Enhanced accessibility and transparent case tracking: This is the primary and most significant advantage. Litigants and lawyers can access case information, orders, and hearing dates online from anywhere, at any time. This transparency reduces uncertainty, minimizes the need for physical visits to the court, and helps in tracking the progress of a case efficiently.
(C) Mandatory replacement of human judgement: Judicial discretion and human judgment are irreplaceable in the legal process. E-courts aim to support, not replace, the decision-making process of a judge.
(D) Mandatory online hearings: While the e-courts system facilitates online (virtual) hearings, they are not mandatory for all cases. The mode of hearing often depends on the nature of the case, the consent of the parties, and the directions of the court.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The most significant and widely realized benefit of the e-courts system is the increased accessibility of information and the transparent manner in which cases can be tracked by all stakeholders.