Patna, May 21 (IANS) The Patna High Court has taken a major technological step towards modernising judicial proceedings by introducing virtual hearings during the summer vacation period through a dedicated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The initiative is being viewed as a significant move towards ensuring continuity in judicial functioning even during court holidays, while also helping reduce the backlog of pending cases.

Traditionally, the functioning of courts remains limited during the summer vacation period. However, the Patna High Court constituted special benches for May 18 and 19, 2026, to hear urgent matters through video conferencing facilities.

A total of nine benches were constituted during the first two days of the vacation period, before which nearly 900 cases were listed, including several petitions requiring urgent hearing and interim relief.

On May 18, hearings were conducted virtually, resulting in the disposal of around 222 cases.

The following day, the pace of proceedings increased further, with various benches disposing of 268 additional petitions through online hearings.

In total, nearly 490 cases were disposed of within just two days through the virtual hearing system introduced during the vacation period.

Legal experts believe the initiative will particularly benefit litigants and lawyers from remote and rural areas by reducing the need for physical travel during extreme summer conditions prevailing in Bihar.

The system allows advocates and petitioners to participate in proceedings from their homes, offices or other locations, thereby making access to justice more convenient, efficient and time-saving.

Experts also observed that digital hearings could play a significant role in reducing the burden of pending cases while simultaneously improving the accessibility and efficiency of the justice delivery mechanism.

The Patna High Court’s move is being viewed as a pioneering initiative within the Indian judicial system and could potentially serve as a model for other High Courts and judicial institutions across the country.

The adoption of virtual proceedings during vacation periods also reflects the judiciary’s growing emphasis on technology-driven, accessible and uninterrupted justice delivery mechanisms.

Legal observers believe that if such systems are implemented consistently and supported with robust digital infrastructure, they could substantially improve judicial efficiency and case management in the long run.

The initiative assumes added significance amid the prevailing severe weather conditions in Bihar, where temperatures have been hovering above 40 degrees Celsius along with high humidity levels, making prolonged outdoor movement difficult and potentially hazardous for public health.

The virtual hearing mechanism is also expected to help reduce logistical difficulties faced by litigants, advocates and court staff during periods of extreme heat.

–IANS

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