On Friday, CJI Surya Kant stated that integrating technology into judicial processes dismantles geographical barriers to help litigants overcome problems of terrain, finance and distance.
CJI was addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education in Sikkim.
CJI Surya Kant added that the Indian legal landscape has moved away from the era of the paper trail, where vital records languished in physical storage, to a vibrant digital ecosystem.
He further added that,“When we speak of integrating technology into judicial processes across the country, we are, in effect, addressing the dismantling of geographical constraints, whether they arise from difficult terrain, financial barriers, or sheer distance”.
The journey to a courtroom was often measured as a test of endurance, the Chief Justice of India stated.
He added that, “The mighty Himalayas, magnificent as they are, make movement slow and uncertain. If we look at the scenario just a decade or so ago, for a Sikkimese litigant seeking justice, distance was not measured in kilometres but in days of travel across narrow paths and unpredictable weather,” he said.
The CJI said digital reform is not a matter of theory, but a practical necessity for sustaining the rule of law.
“We have moved away from the era of the paper trail, where vital records languished in physical storage, to a vibrant digital ecosystem. The e-Courts project has rewritten the relationship between the litigant and the law,” he said.
What once required physical presence and toilsome inquiry is now available through a simple digital interface, CJI Kant said, adding that in consonance with this advancement, the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) stands as the “beating heart” of this endeavour, offering a window into the pulse of our judicial performance.
“Beyond basic data collection, we have witnessed the advent of intelligent assistance within our chambers,” he said, mentioning translation tool SUVAS and SUPACE, an AI-driven tool designed to assist judges.
“These innovations act as force multipliers, aiding in the swift translation of judgments and providing rapid, comprehensive research to the bench. They relieve the judge of the mechanical burden of routine inquiry, allowing for a deeper immersion in the complexities of the law,” the CJI said.
He also discussed another aspect of technological advancements.
“When a litigant in the most distant corner of the country can track the progress of a case or view an order without intermediaries; if he can engage counsel from across the country and view proceedings in real time through video conferencing and live proceedings, the power dynamics of the courtroom undergo a healthy calibration,” he said.
The programme was attended by Chief Justice of Seychelles Supreme Court Rony James Govinden, Sri Lankan Supreme Court judge Mohammad Dhilip Nawaz and others.
Source PTI
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