PIL In High Court Seeks Reliable Mobile Network, Wi-Fi Inside Every Courtroom Across Delhi
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking directions to ensure reliable, high-speed and uninterrupted mobile network and internet or Wi-Fi connectivity inside every courtroom and throughout court complexes across the national capital.A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia today asked Advocate Shannu Baghel, appearing...
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking directions to ensure reliable, high-speed and uninterrupted mobile network and internet or Wi-Fi connectivity inside every courtroom and throughout court complexes across the national capital.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia today asked Advocate Shannu Baghel, appearing in person, to implead the High Court as a necessary party respondent to the plea.
The Court said that an amended memo of parties be filed within a week and listed the plea for hearing on next Wednesday.
The petition contends that in the present era of e-filing, electronic records, video-conferencing and hybrid hearings, reliable internet connectivity has become an essential component of judicial infrastructure rather than merely a matter of convenience.
He thus seeks a courtroom-wise technical audit to identify areas where mobile network or Wi-Fi connectivity is absent, weak or intermittent, along with directions to eliminate network dead zones and prescribe minimum connectivity standards.
According to the petition, inadequate connectivity inside courtrooms can directly interfere with the administration of justice. It further states that lawyers should not be compelled to leave a courtroom or interrupt proceedings merely to search for a network signal to access a virtual hearing, electronic record, court portal or other digital court service.
It has also been argued that poor connectivity affects advocate-client communication, particularly immediately before or during hearings when instructions, documents or clarifications may be required.
The plea seeks a direction on the authorities to ensure functional mobile network and internet connectivity inside every courtroom in Delhi, and to install dedicated Wi-Fi access points, signal enhancement systems, repeaters or other infrastructure as required.
The plea also seeks a courtroom-wise network connectivity survey or audit and establishment of a mechanism for immediate reporting and rectification of network failures during court working hours.
Title: SHANNU BAGHEL v. GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI
Case Number: W.P.(C)-12729/2026