Supreme Court Says Handwritten Tribunal Orders Unacceptable in Paperless Courts Era

The Supreme Court flagged handwritten and illegible order sheets issued by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Hyderabad while hearing an appeal in a compensation case.

The Court said that despite the e-Courts project and large public expenditure on computerisation, tribunals continue to pass handwritten orders without mentioning officers’ names or UID numbers. 

It directed the Telangana High Court to examine the issue and take corrective steps.

The Court also asked that its order be circulated to all High Courts. It set aside the High Court’s order and directed fresh hearing on merits while asking the insurer to release ₹1 crore to the claimant.

[National Insurance Co Ltd. v. Rathlavath Chandulal & Ors.]