India needs a 24-hour functioning judiciary system: Justice Surya Kant

Jabalpur, May 16 (Agency). The Indian judiciary will now have to move towards a system that operates 24 hours a day, like hospitals. It is equally important to maintain the trust of ordinary citizens in this era of digital transformation. Technical platforms should be such that rural and less tech-savvy people can also easily understand them. For this, para-legal volunteers should be trained at the local level, who can connect people with the digital justice system.

These views were expressed by the Chief Justice of the country's Supreme Court, Justice Surya Kant, at a national seminar held in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday. The program, held on the topic of "Fragmentation of Feudal Empowering Justice via United Digital Platform Integration", was attended by several judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, along with Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.

Earlier, at a seminar held at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cultural and Information Center, the Chief Justice of the country, Justice Surya Kant, inaugurated the "Fragmentation of Feudal Empowering Justice via United Digital Platform Integration". On this occasion, the Enrolment Report: 2025 was also launched.

Chief Justice Surya Kant said, citing the example of the Narmada River, that just as a small wave emerging from the Atlantic Ocean eventually takes on a vast shape, similarly, small technical reforms in the justice system will lay the foundation for major changes in the future. He said that the recently launched digital platforms and apps will help make the justice system more transparent, faster, and more efficient.

He informed that in Madhya Pradesh, an attempt has been made to integrate information related to police stations, forensic labs, medical systems, legal cells, courts, and prisons on a single digital platform. Calling it a unique initiative, he said that in the future, efforts will be made to implement this model across the country.

Justice Surya Kant said that a special committee has been formed regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the judicial system. This committee is working on measures to expedite the disposal of pending cases and make the process more efficient. He hinted that more detailed information will be shared in this regard in the coming time. He said that the Indian judiciary has been at the forefront of adopting technology, and even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the functioning of the courts was not affected, and India's digital justice model was appreciated internationally.

The Chief Justice of the country shared his experiences, citing an old case where the accused had to spend a long time in jail due to the delay in receiving the bail order in jail. He said that with the new digital system in place, such situations can be avoided to a great extent, and the judicial process will become more sensitive and faster.

Union Law Minister Meghwal said that the initiative of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is not ordinary. He said that earlier, Chandigarh was cited as an example of a digital police network, but now Madhya Pradesh will be the example. He particularly praised the digital platform based on sign language, saying that this effort to connect even the hearing and speech-impaired people with the judicial process is a unique initiative in the country. He congratulated the High Court administration for this.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that it is not possible to discuss justice without mentioning Emperor Vikramaditya. He said that Vikramaditya's judicial tradition is still considered an ideal today. The stories of Vikram and Betal are not just entertainment but convey deep messages related to administration, policy, and justice. The Chief Minister said that science and technology have made human life easier, and the judiciary has a crucial role in strengthening democracy. Technological innovations in the justice system will further strengthen people's trust.

The seminar discussed topics such as e-court systems, data integration, unified digital platforms, and technology-based justice systems in detail. Experts believe that this program can play a crucial role in determining the direction of the country's future digital justice system. At the end of the program, the guests encouraged the children who participated in the cultural program. During this, after awarding a prize to a girl child, Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed affection by lifting her in his arms, which was applauded by the audience. He appreciated the performance of all the participating children.