Jharkhand: only state where magistrates take online tests to brush up legal expertise
Ranchi: Jharkhand may be the only state in the country where around 500 of its magistrates have to take periodic online tests to brush up their legal expertise. The Jharkhand Judicial Academy conducts an online test the software for which was developed at the suggestion of Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Bhagwati Prasad. The honourable judge wished that the magistrates go through regular training but realized that an online method has to be found for judges cannot be summoned to Ranchi very often.
‘We got a software developed for the online test bearing in mind that around two years back all the judicial officers were given laptops,’ an academy spokesman said.
So far three tests have already been conducted. The software enables an examinee to log in only once. According to him the examinee gets logged out automatically after 25 minutes. So, there is not much time to go through voluminous books while answering questions’.
The purpose of the whole practice is of course that judicial officers stay updated on laws and their proper interpretations. They are also tested for their awareness of the latest judgements of the Supreme Court and high courts so they don’t have to rely on old rulings while delivering orders.
But, the tests have also created some problem. ‘The disposal rate of cases has been affected to some extent as officers are spending time in the study room, cutting down hours spent in the court room,’ a senior judicial officer claimed.