Maharashtra has made online hearing facilities mandatory during regular proceedings across all district consumer commissions and circuit benches, allowing lawyers and litigants to participate by video conference without replacing physical hearings.
The direction was issued by Mukesh V Sharma, acting president of the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, to bring uniformity to procedures across the state. The order applies to regular proceedings and requires every district commission and circuit bench to keep videoconferencing facilities available throughout working hours, from the start of proceedings until the day’s work concludes.
The facility is intended to improve access to consumer justice, particularly for people who live far from the commissions where their cases are listed. Lawyers and litigants will be able to choose whether to appear in person or through video conferencing, according to the reported directions.
The circular, issued on November 6, also bars commissions from restricting online hearings to selected time slots or only a few hours each day. Commissions have been directed not to insist on unnecessary applications, prior permissions, prescribed formats or complicated procedures before allowing virtual participation.
Each commission must publish its videoconferencing link in the daily cause list. This requirement is intended to make the online facility visible and usable as part of the regular hearing process rather than treating it as an exceptional arrangement.
The state commission has warned officials against refusing online hearings on what it described as flimsy grounds. Officials who fail to implement the directions or deny virtual participation in violation of the order may face appropriate action, and such lapses could be recorded in their service books, an official said.
Some commissions have already introduced videoconferencing facilities and received a positive response from lawyers and litigants, according to the report. The new directions seek to standardise that practice across all district consumer commissions and circuit benches in Maharashtra.
The order also sets out operating protocols for virtual hearings. Participants must log in a few minutes before their scheduled matter, display their case number and name, and maintain a stable internet connection. Lawyers are expected to appear in professional attire, while litigants must wear appropriate clothing.
Participants must keep their microphones muted until their matters are called and switch on their cameras while addressing the bench. Speaking without permission, engaging in other activities during proceedings, and recording, photographing or broadcasting hearings without prior approval are prohibited. Benches may remove participants for inappropriate or contemptuous behaviour.
Participants who face technical problems can approach the commission’s registrar. If the issue remains unresolved, they may submit a written complaint directly to the acting president of the state commission. The directions leave physical hearings available while making videoconferencing a standard facility throughout working hours.
