Punjab SC Commission will launch a Virtual Court in January 2026 to make hearings more accessible for citizens across Punjab, says Chairman Jasvir Singh Gharhi.
In order to improve the accessibility and citizen-friendliness of its proceedings, the Punjab SC Commission will establish a Virtual Court in January 2026. The idea will make it easier for residents from far-flung areas of the state to attend hearings without having to travel to Chandigarh, Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Gharhi said in an announcement.The 27th Full Commission meeting of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission was presided over by him.
People currently travel a considerable amount of time and money to Chandigarh for case hearings from far places, as noted by S. Gharhi. In order to resolve this issue, the Commission is working with authorities to set up a Virtual Courtroom. On the fourth floor of the Punjab Civil Secretariat, he said, the Commission’s new courtroom is being set up and will be operational by November.
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He added that in response to the Commission’s work, the Police Department has designated SP-rank Nodal Officers in each district to deal with cases filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. These issues will be supervised at the state level by DIG-rank official Mr. Naveen Saini (DGP Crime), and the Commission’s Nodal official will be AIG Ms. Surinderjit Kaur. Chairman Jasvir Singh Gharhi would collaborate closely with Special DGP Mr. Naresh Arora to improve communication between the Police Department and the Commission.
According to him, senior officers from the departments of social justice, local government, and the police gave updates on the progress of cases filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, during today’s meeting. The meeting also examined adherence to the directives given at the 26th Full Commission meeting, which included setting up a dedicated helpline number, sending security personnel to Sri Rakba Sahib (Ludhiana) and Sri Jhandian Dham (Rupnagar) to protect devotees, and setting up security at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib, the hallowed site connected to Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. There was also discussion of the steps taken to provide security for Commission members.
According to S. Gharhi, the Commission also asked Department of Social Justice and Empowerment staff for progress updates on how to move Ambedkar Bhawan construction along more quickly in Barnala, Fazilka, Malerkotla, Pathankot, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. Additional information was obtained regarding the resolution of the Rs. 1550 crore (60% central share) issue for the 2017–2020 period by working with the Union Government, as well as the release of outstanding funds under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for 2017–2019 to colleges and educational institutions in accordance with the 40% state share. A review of ongoing cases concerning compassionate appointments for families of sanitation workers killed while on duty was also conducted by the Commission.
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Commission Members Rupinder Singh Seetal, Gurpreet Singh Ittanwali, and Gulzar Singh Bobby were among the notable attendees of the meeting, along with Special DGP Mr. Naresh Arora, the Director of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, Mrs. Vimi Bhullar, officers from the Local Government Department, Commission Member Secretary Dr. Lain Jassal, DIG Mr. Naveen Saini, AIG Ms. Surinderjit Kaur, and several senior officers from other departments.