Kerala High Court: In a notification dated 24-06-2025, the Kerala High Court allowed e-filing for jail appeals and other petitions/applications filed by prisoners seeking a judicial remedy.
Background
The Court noted that presently, the jail appeals filed under Section 424 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’), and other petitions/applications seeking judicial remedy moved by prisoners were prepared in paper form and sent to the Court for filing due to the absence of an electronic alternative. Acknowledging the same, Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar directed the Registry to explore the possibility of facilitating the e-filing of such cases.
New e-Filing System
Accordingly, implementing a new system in this regard, the Court decided to extend the e-filing facility to the prison authorities to streamline the digital processing of jail appeals and other petitions/applications seeking judicial remedy with effect from 01-07-2025.
The Court also issued two Standard Operating Procedures (‘SOP’) that are to be followed upon switching to the new system, which are as follows:
- SOP for online filing and processing of jail appeals and other petitions (judicial) filed by persons in jail before the High Court of Kerala- To streamline the online filing of jail appeals using the CMS login credentials provided to the officer in charge of the jail.
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Kerala State Legal Services Authority (‘KeLSA’) SOP for jail appeals/parole (emergency leave) and remissions – To establish uniformity across the jails regarding the service of Legal Aid Defence Counsel lawyers and Jail Visiting Lawyers, transmission of necessary documents for appeal to the High Court Legal Services Committee (‘HCLSC’), and other ancillary matters.
For more information, you can read the notification HERE.
