Delhi High Court orders provision of gadgets and infrastructure in courts for disabled persons’ trial participation.

The Delhi High Court has issued a series of directions to improve accessibility to justice for accused persons with disabilities. The Court has asked the Registrar General of the High Court to explore the possibility of creating a room similar to the vulnerable witness room, specifically for accused persons with disabilities who are unable to access the Courts and the justice system with equality and dignity.

The judge has also ordered the Registrar General to consider making interim arrangements until a permanent solution is found. Additionally, the Court has directed the appointment of a Nodal Officer or a designated person who can be contacted for information regarding resources available to ensure accessibility to justice for accused persons with disabilities. The phone number of the designated official/person should be mentioned on the website of every District Court as well as the Delhi High Court.

In order to increase awareness among the public and inform them about the availability of services for persons with disabilities, the Court has directed the Delhi Judicial Academy to organize a sensitization program for trial court judges, lawyers, court staff, and police. This program will provide information about the services available for persons with disabilities within the Court premises and how and when they can be accessed. The Academy has also been instructed to develop a training module for educating and training the Court staff and the Nodal Officer in this regard.

The government has been given a timeframe of three months to comply with these directions. The Secretary of the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has been directed to file a compliance report within one month. The judgment has been forwarded to the Secretary of the Department of Law, Justice and Legislative Affairs, the Secretary of the DSLSA, the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court, and the Director of the Delhi Judicial Academy for information and necessary compliance.