The Bombay High Court on Monday directed Maharashtra government to approach the National Informatics Centre (NIC) by August 31 for upgradation of the present video conferencing (VC) facilities so as to reduce the cost incurred by the state on police escort for prisoners.

The state government on Monday submitted a plan of action formulated by it to address the issue of under-utilisation of video conferencing facilities in prisons and courts.

In a meeting held on July 17 between high ranking officials of the state government, judicial officers, prison department and bureaucrats, it was decided that steps would be taken to ensure that video conferencing facility would be effectively functional at all courts soon.

Further consolidated proposals of requirements regarding VC facility infrastructure and technical support should be sent by the registrar general of Bombay High Court and the prison department to the state government which would be expeditiously processed and implemented.

The report was submitted to the division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Ranjana Desai, who said, "We will monitor the process at every stage. Approach the NIC by August 31." The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Shaikh Abdul Naeem, an accused in the Aurangabad arms haul case, claiming that he is not being produced in court due to lack of escort police.

On the last hearing, the prison authorities had suggested the use of VC facility for production of accused for extension of their judicial custody. The matter will be heard on September 9.