Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma has issued 21-point instructions to the Chief Justices of the High Court and the Chief Judges of the District Courts. For the first time since becoming the Chief Justice, Sharma has issued such instructions after discussing with the high and district judges online.

Chief Justice Sharma has also directed to adopt zero tolerance towards distortions, discrepancies and irregularities. He has said that a zero tolerance policy will be adopted towards any kind of distortions, discrepancies, undue influence, irregularities, middleman-like activities or unethical conduct in the courts under his jurisdiction and subordinate courts. ‘Please closely monitor every stage of court entry, case management, time limit compliance, presentation, judgment preparation, judgment implementation, records and service delivery,’ the directive says. ‘If irregularities are found, take immediate action to the extent possible and report with recommendations on other issues.’

Similarly, it has been said that a report on good governance will be prepared. The directive states that a brief report should be prepared every month on the efforts and achievements in judicial governance, monitoring, complaint management, control of irregularities and discrepancies, service delivery improvement, settlement of outstanding cases, implementation of DCM, judgment writing and judgment implementation and sent to the Secretariat of the Chief Justice. It has also been asked to institutionalize and maintain the automatic filing system and transparency. ‘Effectively implement the automatic filing system implemented in the court and maintain transparency, predictability and impartiality in filing management. Increase trust in the system by coordinating with the concerned bodies, legal practitioners and service recipients,’ the directive states, ‘Identify the difficulties in the system immediately and report to the Supreme Court and the concerned bodies for resolution.’ The directive also states regarding judgment writing.

It has been asked to give high priority to the issue of preparing/getting the verdict prepared within the period prescribed by law as it will create negative comments towards the judiciary and affect the access to justice for the parties to the case.

It has been asked to prepare the arrears of verdict writing, its reasons, the responsible bench/branch and the reform agenda and monitor it regularly. It has been asked to activate the subordinate courts by updating the arrears related to imprisonment, fines, government compensation, compensation and other verdict implementation as a campaign. It has been asked to activate the task force formed at the district court level and coordinate with the police, local levels, government bodies and other stakeholders. The directive has said that the progress achieved in the implementation of the verdict will be reviewed monthly and immediate remedial measures should be adopted if obstacles are found.