Supreme Court launches e-portal ‘SuSwagatam’ allowing visitors, litigants, and advocates to apply for e-passes to enter the premises

Today before the commencement of the hearing in the Article 370 case by the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud announced the launch of an online portal, “SuSwagatam”. The portal was launched to allow visitors, litigants, and advocates to apply for passes to enter the top Court. At present, persons wanting to enter the Supreme Court premises, including advocates, should obtain entry passes from the counter. Currently, individuals who wish to enter or access the Supreme Court premises, including lawyers and advocates, must acquire entry passes from the designated counter. This results in long queues before the counter early in the morning. The launch of the e-portal will help individuals to apply for passes online using their mobile numbers. CJI said, “Visitors will not have to stand in long queues to get passes now”. He also mentioned that one can apply for the e-pass on a daily basis, monthly basis, or quarterly basis. CJI told that a person can apply for the same online the prior morning. He stated, “One can apply for the pass the prior morning. The moment a person comes to security counter… the entire pass details reflected for CISF”. In addition to this, CJI remarked, “The portal was tested as a pilot project from July 25. More than 10,000 e-passes issued till August 8 as a pilot basis. We also have a video tutorial on how to use it and we will have it soon in languages other than English. E Seva Kendra will help in training”. This will not only help individuals to avoid waiting in long queues but also ensures a step toward digitalization.