The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to issue directions for online functioning of all district courts in Delhi, observing that administration of district judiciary falls within the domain of the respective High Courts.

The observations came during mentioning by a petitioner who sought urgent listing of a plea requesting that “all district courts should go online for a temporary period of three months in the nation’s interest.”

The Chief Justice Surya Kant, however, observed that such measures must remain a voluntary exercise by the Bar and Bench both.The Court further noted that district courts are under the administrative control of the respective High Courts and therefore it would be appropriate for each High Court to independently take a decision on the issue.

The Bench observed, “District courts are the domain of the High Court. The High Court is the administrative authority. Let the High Court take a call.”

CJI told that he had already been made to various High Courts and pursuant thereto some had implemented online functioning measures, while others were presently closed for summer vacations and may consider the request after reopening.

“I have already requested the Chief Justices . I’m gettin responses too. In my letter, I have requested them for the district courts also… and some of the High Courts have already implemented. In some of the High Courts, there are summer vacations going on, so as such they will take a call when they open. For the other high Courts, I’m quite sure they are considering”