The Delhi High Court has instructed the Delhi government's Public Works Department (PWD) to draft a budget proposal detailing the necessary funds for acquiring hybrid hearing equipment for district courts throughout Delhi.

The court directed the PWD to provide the cost estimate within a timeframe of ten days.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora also instructed the Finance Department of the Delhi government to render a decision within four weeks of receiving the estimate from the PWD.

The court's ruling was prompted by a petition filed by a coalition of senior citizen lawyers advocating for the introduction of hybrid hearings in Delhi's district courts. These petitioners have persistently advocated for the adoption of hybrid hearing systems to tackle infrastructure deficiencies within the court system.

Since 2021, the high court has been diligently monitoring the advancement of initiatives aimed at overcoming these infrastructure challenges and facilitating the implementation of hybrid hearings.

During a recent hearing on February 6, Advocate Amit George, representing the high court, informed the court that a consultant appointed by the PWD had furnished a comprehensive list of essential equipment needed for each courtroom and judge's chamber.

George stressed that this equipment comprises the minimum necessary for the effective deployment of hybrid hearing systems.