Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has launched its first Mobile e-Sewa Vans (MeSV) to extend digital judicial services, legal assistance and dispute resolution facilities to remote and underserved areas of Odisha. The initiative aims to make access to justice easier for people who face difficulties travelling to court, including persons with disabilities and those suffering from serious illnesses.
Chief Justice Harish Tandon flagged off the two vans at the High Court premises on October 13 in the presence of High Court judges and Registry officials.
Equipped with modern communication technology, the vans will take essential judicial services beyond court complexes and closer to communities that may have limited access to legal assistance. They will also enable differently abled and ailing witnesses to record their testimonies remotely through video conferencing.
Mobile e-Sewa Vans Help Ailing Witness Record Evidence
One of the first deployments of the mobile vans demonstrated how technology can help people participate in judicial proceedings without having to travel to court.
The vans facilitated the recording of evidence from a key witness residing in Adhalia under Cuttack Sadar. The witness was unable to appear in person because of illness and provided testimony remotely in a long-pending case.
The facility offers a practical solution for witnesses whose health conditions or physical limitations make court appearances difficult. By enabling video-conference testimony from a more accessible location, the initiative can help reduce the burden of travel while supporting participation in legal proceedings.
The service is particularly relevant for people who are elderly, differently abled or medically unfit to undertake journeys to court.
High-Tech Vans Equipped with Digital Facilities
The two Mobile e-Sewa Vans are equipped with high-speed multi-network connectivity, high-definition video conferencing facilities and power backup systems.
These features are intended to support digital judicial services in areas where access to court infrastructure and reliable connectivity may be limited.
The vans will serve as mobile access points for essential court-related facilities, allowing citizens to obtain assistance with digital processes and learn about services available through the judicial system.
The initiative reflects efforts to use technology to improve the accessibility and delivery of judicial services beyond traditional court premises.
Awareness Camp Organised at Jagatpur
Following the flag-off ceremony, the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) organised an awareness camp at Paga Weekly Market in Jagatpur to familiarise people with digital judicial services.
The van’s large multimedia display and public address system were used to explain several facilities, including:
- e-Filing: Digital submission of court-related documents.
- e-Payment: Online payment facilities for applicable court-related charges.
- Case status tracking: Access to information about the progress of cases.
- e-Mulakat: Digital meeting-related facilities.
The awareness programme aimed to help citizens understand how these services operate and how they can use them.
Such outreach activities are intended to improve public awareness of digital court facilities, particularly among people who may be unfamiliar with online judicial processes.
Legal Aid Camps and Mobile Lok Adalats Planned
According to the High Court Registry, the vans will be deployed throughout the year to support legal awareness programmes and improve access to justice in underserved areas.
Their planned activities include conducting legal aid camps, assisting citizens with digital filing, facilitating online payment of court fees and organising awareness programmes.
The vans will also support Mobile Lok Adalats and special drives aimed at resolving disputes without requiring people to travel to court.
The services are expected to reach villages, tribal regions and other remote parts of Odisha, where distance and limited access to legal resources can create barriers for citizens seeking assistance.
Mobile Lok Adalats can provide an additional avenue for resolving eligible disputes through settlement, helping people explore alternatives to prolonged litigation where appropriate.
Part of the National e-Courts Project
The Orissa High Court received the two vans under a national initiative launched by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant last month, according to the report.
The programme forms part of the e-Courts Project, which seeks to use technology to improve the delivery of judicial services and make court processes more accessible.
The introduction of Mobile e-Sewa Vans in Odisha extends this digital initiative to communities that may face practical difficulties accessing court facilities.
Mobile Judicial Services Aim to Improve Access to Justice
The launch of the two vans marks a step towards bringing digital judicial facilities and legal assistance closer to people across Odisha.
By combining video conferencing, digital service support, legal awareness programmes and dispute-resolution initiatives, the vans are intended to help bridge gaps in access to justice.
Their year-round deployment across villages, tribal regions and other underserved locations will be important in ensuring that citizens are aware of the available services and can benefit from them.
