Court Expresses Strong Dissatisfaction Over IT Staff Incompetence, Directs Detailed Inquiry and Action; Experts from Leading Tech Firms to Conduct Audit Within 30 Days
Jabalpur, September 8, 2026: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a stern stance on the persistent malfunctioning of its Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, which has caused significant disruptions and wastage of judicial time. In a recent judgment delivered by the Division Bench comprising Justices Vivek Agarwal and Avanindra Kumar Singh, the Court expressed strong dissatisfaction over the inability of the High Court’s IT staff to maintain a functional and efficient digital system, especially the new High Court website that supports e-hearings.
The case arose during the hearing of CRA No. 7908 of 2023, involving appellant Aditya Soni and the State of Madhya Pradesh. While the substantive matter was adjourned, the Court took suo moto cognizance of the technical difficulties faced during the proceedings, which included buffering, hanging issues, and general inefficiency of the High Court’s online platform as compared to the previous website.
Key observations and directions issued by the Court include:
1. Serious View on IT Staff Incompetence: The Court lamented the wastage of precious judicial time due to the incompetency of the IT staff responsible for maintaining the High Court’s digital infrastructure. It directed the Hon’ble Chief Justice to take strict action against the concerned personnel causing these hindrances.
2. Detailed Inquiry Ordered: The Court mandated a thorough inquiry to be conducted by Mr. K.S. Kushwaha, Registrar (IT-CSA), to investigate the reasons behind the malfunctioning and obstacles in the IT system’s smooth operation. The inquiry report is to be submitted within seven days.
3. Independent Third-Party Audit: Recognizing the gravity of the problem, the Court directed the appointment of a team of experts from reputed technology companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and L&T Technology Services. This team will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive audit of the High Court’s IT system.
4. Inclusion of Government Officers: The audit team is to include officers from the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Government of India, and MASSCOM, ensuring a multi-dimensional evaluation of the system.
5. Timeline for Audit Completion: The independent audit is to be completed within 30 days, with a detailed report to be submitted to the High Court for further action.
6. Feedback from Legal Fraternity: Lawyers appearing before the Court voiced their concerns that the new High Court website is less functional and more problematic than the older version, emphasizing the urgent need for corrective measures.
7. Court’s Commitment to Judicial Efficiency: The Court reiterated its commitment to ensuring that technology aids, rather than impedes, the dispensation of justice, highlighting the critical role of a robust IT infrastructure in modern judicial administration.
This judgment underscores the growing pains faced by Indian courts in integrating digital technology into judicial processes. The High Court’s proactive approach in ordering an independent audit and seeking expert intervention sets a precedent for judicial accountability not only in legal matters but also in administrative and infrastructural domains.
The case will continue to be monitored closely, and the judiciary’s decisive measures aim to restore confidence among litigants and legal practitioners in the High Court’s digital capabilities.
Bottom Line:
High Court expresses strong dissatisfaction over the malfunctioning of its IT system and directs independent audit of the system by reputed companies and government organizations.
Statutory provision(s): Judicial Administration.
Aditya Soni v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (Madhya Pradesh)(DB)(Jabalpur) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2975942
