Panchthar District Court has started regularly using virtual platforms to conduct witness testimonies, record statements and facilitate legal debates in a move aimed at enhancing accessibility and efficiency in judicial proceedings.

According to court officials, the initiative is particularly beneficial for parties involved, witnesses, and legal practitioners who are unable to be physically present due to distance or other constraints.

“This system not only ensures access to justice for those far from the court, but also saves time and cost for service seekers,” said Gopal Khanal, the court’s information officer. He added that virtual hearings have been especially helpful in expediting cases that would otherwise face delays.

The court has recently facilitated virtual testimonies from three women based in Portugal, Dubai, and Oman, who had filed polygamy-related cases after their husbands remarried while they were working abroad.

Similarly, in a juvenile case, two children from a child correction centre in Biratnagar were connected virtually to participate in legal proceedings. The court also recorded statements from two eyewitnesses in a government prosecution case related to homicide, said Pitam Khatiwada, head of the court’s information technology department.

In another example, senior advocate Khagraj Kattel participated in a property dispute hearing via video conference from Ilam.

Khatiwada explained that before each virtual hearing, individuals concerned are trained to use the required software and familiarised with the procedures. “Once they are prepared, the testimony, statement, or debate is carried out accordingly,” he said.

Although law allows for virtual hearings in cases where physical presence is not feasible, such practices remain rare in most district courts. This initiative in Panchthar was launched under the direction of Judge Kumar Maskey, who was transferred to the court last October.