One of my clients recently had a case which I am explaining below and if you are stuck in such similar situation, here is what to do.

Note: Due to attorney-client privilege, I cannot disclose complete case details or identify the actual parties involved. However, I am sharing the essential facts and legal approach so that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can understand the available solutions and legal remedies.

Mr.X approached our office with a pressing need to access daily cause lists from multiple High Courts and District Courts across City A and City B. He was developing a legal research platform for XYZ Pvt Ltd and required systematic access to court scheduling information. Despite his legitimate research purposes, he faced significant obstacles in obtaining structured data from court websites, which only provided basic PDF formats that were difficult to process systematically. The court registries were reluctant to provide digital access, citing security concerns and lack of standardized protocols. This created a roadblock for his legal research project, which required timely access to case scheduling information for academic and professional purposes.

Advice in Such Cases

Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation to come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

• File RTI applications with specific court registries requesting access to cause list data in structured formats
• Approach the High Court’s IT department with a formal application explaining your legitimate research needs
• Consider partnering with established legal research institutions that may already have data access agreements

Applicable Sections of Law

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), access to court information is governed by transparency principles. Section 3 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 grants citizens the right to access public information. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provisions under Section 15 ensure public access to court proceedings and schedules. Additionally, Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, which includes the right to access information. Court rules under various High Court regulations also provide frameworks for accessing judicial information for legitimate research purposes.

If You Are the Complainant

• Submit a detailed application to the Court Registry explaining your specific data requirements and intended use
• Prepare proper documentation showing your legitimate interest in accessing court cause lists
• File RTI applications with precise questions about data availability and access procedures
• Contact the High Court’s IT Cell directly with technical specifications for data formats needed
• Engage with bar associations who may facilitate discussions with court authorities

If You Are the Victim

• Document all instances where legitimate access to public court information was denied without valid reasons
• Maintain records of correspondence with court registries and IT departments regarding data access requests
• File formal complaints with the Chief Justice’s office if lower court officials deny reasonable access
• Seek alternative legal remedies through writ petitions if fundamental rights to information are violated
• Collaborate with other researchers or legal professionals facing similar access issues for collective representation

How the Police Behave in Such Cases

Police typically do not get involved in civil matters related to court data access requests. However, if there are allegations of unauthorized access to computer systems or data breach concerns, they may investigate under cyber crime provisions. Generally, police defer to court authorities and registries for matters involving judicial information access. They may only intervene if there are specific complaints about illegal hacking or misuse of court systems.

FAQs People Normally Have

Can I legally scrape court websites for cause list data? Web scraping public court websites is generally permissible for legitimate research, but you must respect terms of service and not overload servers.

Are court cause lists considered public information? Yes, cause lists are public documents, but courts may regulate the format and method of access.

What if courts deny access citing security concerns? File RTI applications and challenge unreasonable denials through proper legal channels.

Can I commercialize court data obtained through RTI? Commercial use may have restrictions; consult specific RTI responses and applicable regulations.

What Evidence Is Required?

• Formal written requests submitted to court registries with acknowledgment receipts
• Documentation of legitimate research or professional purpose requiring court data access
• Correspondence records showing court officials’ responses to access requests
• RTI application copies and any responses received from public information officers
• Screenshots or records of publicly available court websites and their data formats
• Professional credentials or institutional affiliations supporting your legitimate interest
• Evidence of compliance with any existing court regulations regarding information access

How Long Will the Investigation Take?

RTI applications typically require responses within 30 days. Court registry applications may take 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity and court workload. If legal proceedings become necessary, writ petitions for information access usually get expedited hearing within 2-3 months. Technical implementations by court IT departments can take several months once approvals are granted.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India