The Allahabad High Court in the case Pradeep Kumar Singh v. State Of U.P. And 4 Others observed and seek response from the Chief Standing Counsel for Uttar Pradesh on a plea challenging his notice directing that all soft copies of petitions or applications be supplied to his office through pen drive.
The court observed that the Chief Standing Counsel and the Government Advocate for the State of U.P. published a notice on October 11, 2023 wherein it is stated that no pdf copy of any notice served through email shall be accepted.
The counsel appearing before the court were directed to provide pdf copies only through USB/ Thumb Drives.
In the present case, the Petitioner, Pradeep Kumar Singh, a practicing advocate of the Allahabad High Court moved the writ plea challenging the said order, which was later converted into a public interest litigation by the Court.
It has also been argued before the court that providing pdf copies of petitions was easier through e-mail. Thus, the emails are easily accessible to the advocates and litigants appearing in-person, it is said.
The court stated that the e-service centres established for e-filing of cases will become meaningless if the litigant or the advocate has to physically visit the office of the Chief Standing Counsel and the Government Advocate for giving notice.
The bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Kshitij Shailendra in the case observed and has directed the Chief Standing Counsel, to apprise the Court of the steps taken by the State for accepting notice by email.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter to be next heard on February 07, 2024