More than a hundred legal professionals in Coimbatore staged a dramatic silent protest on Tuesday, voicing their strong opposition to the newly implemented electronic filing system for court cases. The demonstration took place in front of the Coimbatore Combined Court Complex, where advocates gathered with their mouths covered by black cloths, symbolizing their stifled voices against the digital transition they deem premature.
Core Grievances: Infrastructure and Training Deficiencies
The protesting lawyers presented a list of critical issues plaguing the new e-filing portal. Their primary concern revolves around what they claim is inadequate server capacity. They argue that the existing digital infrastructure cannot handle the volume of users, leading to frustratingly long upload times and significant delays in obtaining crucial case numbers after submission.
The legal community in Coimbatore is substantial, with nearly 5,000 practising advocates. The protestors fear a complete system collapse, stating that if more than 1,000 advocates attempt to file cases online simultaneously, the servers are bound to crash, bringing judicial work to a halt. This, they assert, defeats the very purpose of a system intended to streamline and speed up processes.
A System Launched Without Proper Support?
Beyond technical shortcomings, the lawyers highlighted a severe lack of preparatory measures. They expressed frustration over the absence of proper training and technical support for advocates who are now mandated to use the new platform. Many find the interface non-intuitive and the process cumbersome without guided assistance.
Furthermore, the protestors pointed out a significant lack of clarity on several procedural aspects of electronic filing. Unanswered questions about document formats, authentication, and post-filing procedures have created confusion and anxiety within the legal fraternity, making a smooth transition impossible.
The Call for a Pause and Upgrade
The silent but powerful demonstration sends a clear message to the authorities. The lawyers are not against digitization per se but insist that the necessary groundwork must be completed first. Their demand is for a robust technical infrastructure with enhanced server capacity to be established before the system is made compulsory.
They also urge the administration to conduct comprehensive training workshops and create detailed guidelines to ensure every advocate is equipped to navigate the e-filing portal efficiently. Until these fundamental conditions are met, the legal professionals of Coimbatore remain united in their call to reconsider the haste of the implementation.
