The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has recently launched the Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records (FASTER), a digital platform aimed at improving the speed and security of court records’ transmission. This coincides with other technology-based initiatives such as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based portal ‘SUPACE’ and the eCourts Mission Mode Project, supported by the Department of Justice and the Ministry of Law and Justice. These initiatives are evidence of the growing trend of integrating technology into the judicial system to facilitate its processes.
Understanding the FASTER Digital Platform
FASTER is a digital platform designed to expedite the transfer of interim orders, stay orders, bail orders, and other Supreme Court decisions to relevant authorities via a secure electronic communication channel. It has been introduced due to instances where jail inmates are not released even after the Supreme Court has granted bail orders. This delay in communication led to the realization of the need to utilize information and communication technology (ICT) tools for the efficient transmission of court’s orders.
Significance of the FASTER Digital Platform
The implications of this digital platform are far-reaching. Firstly, it ensures the timely release of undertrials who, in many cases, have had to wait unnecessarily behind bars because of delayed delivery of their certified hard copies of bail orders. Undertrials refer to individuals who have been charged but not yet found guilty of the crimes they are accused of.
FASTER also aids in preventing needless arrests and custody of individuals who have already been granted protection by the court. Furthermore, it safeguards the fundamental rights of personal liberty, life, and dignity of prisoners as stipulated under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The FASTER platform serves as an advocate for these rights by ensuring that prisoners are not held unfairly due to administrative delays.
Challenges in Implementing the FASTER Digital Platform
While the FASTER platform offers considerable advantages, its implementation is not without challenges. One of the main hurdles is the availability of internet connections in prisons across the nation. The successful transmission of court orders to prisons would require a stable and reliable internet connection. Without this facility, the full potential of the FASTER platform cannot be realized. As such, there remains a need for considerable infrastructural development to ensure all prisons have access to a robust internet connection.
In summary, the FASTER digital platform represents a significant leap forward in the use of technology within India’s judicial system. It simplifies and accelerates the communication process of court orders, ensuring that justice is served in a timely and efficient manner. However, adequate digital infrastructure needs to be in place for the successful implementation of this platform. Efforts should be concentrated on addressing the challenge of inadequate internet access in prisons to fully reap the benefits of the FASTER platform.
Note: The information contained in this article was sourced from IE.