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Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha Lays Foundation for New Durg Court Complex, Launches Digital Justice Initiatives
In a significant step towards modernising the judicial landscape in Chhattisgarh, Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha of the performed the and laid the foundation stone for the new Principal District and Sessions Court Building in Durg on Tuesday. The event was not merely a ceremonial ground-breaking; it also marked the release of a pioneering book on and the launch of several digital initiatives aimed at making justice delivery more accessible, transparent, and efficient for citizens. The occasion drew a wide cross-section of the legal fraternity, including fellow High Court judges, judicial officers, members of the Bar, and representatives from the .
The new court building comes as a response to the growing demand for enhanced in the Durg district. Welcoming the gathering, Principal District and Sessions Judge K. Vinod Kujur emphasised the pressing need for the new structure, noting that it would provide additional facilities for judicial officers, lawyers, court staff, and litigants. The proposed building is expected to address the chronic space constraints that have long hampered the efficient functioning of the district judiciary, offering modern courtrooms, chambers, and amenities tailored to the requirements of contemporary litigation.
A New Era for Durg’s Judiciary
The foundation stone laying ceremony symbolises a broader commitment to strengthening the institutional framework of the judiciary in Chhattisgarh. Chief Justice Sinha, in his keynote address, underscored the importance of that is aligned with future needs. “Judicial institutions should be strengthened in accordance with future requirements,” he stated, highlighting the need for proactive planning to accommodate the increasing caseload and the evolving expectations of the public.
The Durg court complex is expected to relieve the pressure on existing facilities and enable the district judiciary to handle cases more efficiently. Legal professionals in the region have long advocated for a dedicated building that can house all the necessary courtrooms, record rooms, and auxiliary services under one roof. With the foundation now laid, the project signals a long-term vision for decentralised justice delivery, ensuring that litigants in Durg and surrounding areas no longer have to travel to distant cities for timely hearings.
Digital Leap: Cashless Fines and Mobile Apps
One of the most forward-looking aspects of the programme was the launch of several digital initiatives developed by the Information Technology Team of the . These include the Cashless Fine Payment Facility, the AFR Mobile Application (Android), and the Court Fee Ticket Generation System. A detailed video presentation was screened to familiarise attendees with the features and benefits of these tools.
The Cashless Fine Payment Facility aims to eliminate the need for physical cash transactions at court counters, reducing the risk of errors, delays, and corruption. By allowing litigants and lawyers to pay fines through digital modes, the system enhances transparency and convenience. The AFR Mobile Application, designed for the Android platform, is expected to streamline the filing and tracking of cases, putting critical information at the fingertips of legal professionals. Meanwhile, the Court Fee Ticket Generation System automates a previously manual process, making it easier to generate and verify court fee tickets electronically.
These technological innovations reflect a broader trend across Indian courts toward leveraging digital tools to reduce pendency and improve user experience. The ’s initiative is particularly noteworthy for its focus on citizen‑centric design, ensuring that even those with limited technical literacy can benefit from the simplified processes.
: The Sandhi Setu Initiative
During the programme, Chief Justice Sinha also released a book titled Sandhi Setu , prepared by the , Durg. The publication is dedicated to , a mechanism that encourages the resolution of disputes at the grassroots level through dialogue, consensus, and mediation. According to the organisers, the book documents efforts aimed at fostering harmonious rural communities and seeks to promote as a first resort rather than a last resort.
has gained traction in several Indian states as a means to reduce the burden on formal courts, especially for petty civil and family disputes. Sandhi Setu serves as both a practical guide and a record of successful mediation stories, offering templates and techniques that can be replicated by legal services authorities in other districts. Chief Justice Sinha commended the effort, noting that aligns with the constitutional vision of justice that is accessible to all. “Efforts should be made to ensure justice remains accessible, transparent, and convenient for citizens,” he said, linking the book’s purpose to the broader digital transformation agenda.
The release of Sandhi Setu also highlights the role of the judiciary in promoting social harmony. By empowering community members to resolve their own conflicts with trained mediators, the initiative reduces the emotional and financial costs of litigation. Legal professionals attending the event observed that a culture of mediation, if nurtured properly, could significantly alter the adversarial nature of dispute resolution in the region.
Vision for Citizen‑Centric Justice
Chief Justice Sinha’s address wove together the themes of infrastructure, technology, and into a coherent vision for a citizen‑centric justice delivery system. He emphasised that while physical buildings and digital tools are essential, the ultimate goal is to make the justice system more approachable and less intimidating for the common person. His reference to “future requirements” suggests that the judiciary is thinking not just about present needs but also about long‑term sustainability and scalability.
The presence of several High Court judges—Justices P.P. Sahu, Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi, Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Bibhu Dutt Guru, and Amitendra Kishore Prasad—underscored the collective judicial commitment to these reforms. The , extended a warm welcome to the Chief Justice, and members of the elected from the district also felicitated him, indicating strong Bar‑Bench collaboration. Suman Ekka, Principal Judge, , delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for their support.
Implications for Legal Practice and
For legal professionals, the developments in Durg hold multiple implications. First, the new court building will likely alter the logistics of litigation in the district, providing better facilities for case management and client meetings. Second, the digital initiatives—particularly the cashless fine payment and court fee generation—will reduce administrative hassles, allowing lawyers to focus on substantive legal work. Third, the emphasis on opens up new professional opportunities for lawyers trained in (ADR). As courts increasingly encourage mediation, practitioners who acquire skills in this area will be better positioned to serve clients effectively.
From an access‑to‑justice perspective, the combination of improved infrastructure and technology has the potential to reduce case backlogs and speed up resolution times. Litigants in rural areas, who often face barriers of distance and cost, may benefit from the digital tools that allow remote filing and payment. The book, Sandhi Setu , could become a model for other districts, spreading the practice of consensual dispute resolution across the state.
Conclusion
The foundation stone laying for the new Durg court complex, coupled with the launch of digital justice tools and the release of a guide, represents a holistic approach to judicial reform. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha’s leadership in integrating physical infrastructure with technological and social innovations sends a clear signal that the Chhattisgarh judiciary is committed to evolving with the times. As the new building takes shape and the digital systems become operational, the legal community in Durg can look forward to a more efficient, transparent, and accessible justice delivery ecosystem. The event serves as a blueprint for other states seeking to modernise their judicial institutions while staying rooted in the principles of fairness and public service.
