Orissa High Court launches mobile vans for remote judicial services

The Orissa High Court has launched its first Mobile e-Sewa Vans (MeSV) to deliver digital court services, legal aid, and dispute resolution to remote and underserved areas of the state.

Chief Justice Harish Tandon flagged off two vans equipped with high-speed multi-network connectivity, high-definition video conferencing, and power backup systems. The initiative is designed to assist differently abled and ailing witnesses by allowing them to record testimonies from their doorsteps via video conference. In its initial deployment, the service enabled a key witness in Cuttack Sadar to provide evidence for a long-pending case despite being unable to travel due to illness.

Beyond witness testimony, the vans will facilitate legal awareness camps, digital filing assistance, and online court fee payments. The Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) also utilized the vans' multimedia displays and public address systems to conduct citizen awareness programs regarding e-filing, e-payment, and case status tracking. This initiative is part of the national e-Courts Project.