Maharashtra Cooperative Department holds first-ever full-scale online hearings

An online hearing at the District Deputy Registrar Office (Western district) in Dadar West, near Kabootar Khana. PIC/By Special Arrangement

In a landmark step towards digital governance and accessible justice, Maharashtra's Cooperative Department has launched its first full-scale online hearings, marking a historic first for the state. The initiative, led by District Deputy Registrar (Western district) Rajesh Lovekar, focuses on deemed conveyance issues and is expected to benefit thousands of petitioners by streamlining justice delivery.

The move has been lauded by the Maharashtra State Cooperative Housing Federation and legal experts, who say it not only boosts transparency in the hearing process but also saves critical man-hours for both litigants and officials - something the offline system failed to deliver.

Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, director of the Maharashtra State Housing Federation

"This model sets a benchmark for accessible and transparent justice," said Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, director of the Maharashtra State Housing Federation. "With legal backing and federation support, this digital leap could transform dispute resolution in the cooperative housing sector."

Hybrid hearing model

Under Registrar Lovekar, all cases are now heard online, with an option for in-person participation. This hybrid format aims to offer flexibility while maintaining transparency.

Matters being heard online:

1. Deemed conveyance adjudication
2. Formation of societies involving non-cooperative developers
3. Appellate hearings in recovery matters
4. Complaints related to the Registrar's office

Parab noted that the initiative aligns with constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 and 21 and supports judicial directives promoting videoconferencing as a valid tool for justice delivery.

Backed by policy

A government circular dated December 13, 2024, officially greenlit online hearings for quasi-judicial matters. The Sahakar Samvad Portal now enables online complaint filings and live case tracking. With more than 1200 active cases already being heard online - and many more in the pipeline - officials believe this digital transition will help reduce case backlogs, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency. The shift also reflects Article 39A of the Constitution and principles of the International Co-operative Alliance.

Call for a wider rollout

Calling the reform long overdue, Parab urged the state to make online hearings a standard practice. He also proposed that hearing orders be published online to aid future litigants and suggested integrating daily cause lists and virtual links into the system. Attempts to reach Rajesh Lovekar for comment were unsuccessful.

Expert Speak

CA Ramesh Prabhu, chairman of the Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association, praised Lovekar's leadership and requested other officials to implement similar reforms as per existing government directives. "Online hearings eliminate the need for travel and long waits, saving time and money while ensuring better accountability," he said. "This model sets the road map for other DDRs, Joint Registrars, and over 350 registrars across Maharashtra to follow."

Legal voices back shift

Solicitor Stuti Galiya echoed this sentiment, noting that India's judicial and quasi-judicial bodies are gradually embracing digital transformation. She stressed that while challenges may arise, tools like digital filings, virtual hearings, and online case tracking offer long-term gains by cutting delays and dependence on middlemen. "Minor glitches can be fixed along the way," she said. "Digitalisation isn't optional anymore - it's essential for a future-ready legal system."

Advocate Jamshed Mistry, a known proponent of courtroom livestreaming, also welcomed the move. Referring to the Supreme Court's ruling in Swapnil Tripathi vs Union of India, Mistry said: "The apex court rightly said that ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant.' By taking this step, the cooperative department is walking the talk on transparency - it will ultimately benefit both litigants and authorities."