Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, delivering a keynote address at the JSW Talk Series at the Royal University of Bhutan in Thimphu, emphasised that technological reforms in the justice system must go beyond digitising existing procedures and instead work towards democratising access to justice for citizens.
Speaking on the theme “Access to Justice in the 21st Century: Technology, Legal Aid and People-Centred Courts,” the Chief Justice underscored that justice must reflect the voice and values of the people it serves. Drawing from both Indian and Bhutanese legal traditions, he observed that law should not be seen as a distant command but as a living institution accessible to the common citizen.
Justice Surya Kant highlighted how technology has transformed the functioning of courts in India, enabling e-filing, digital case management systems, virtual hearings, and online dispute resolution, thereby expanding the reach of the justice delivery system beyond geographical limitations. He noted that the Indian judiciary’s digital initiatives, including the National Judicial Data Grid and e-Courts framework, have significantly enhanced transparency and efficiency in court administration.
Referring to the impact of virtual hearings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Justice said that courts across India successfully conducted millions of hearings through video conferencing, demonstrating that the authority of the law remains intact even when proceedings take place through digital platforms.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that technological reforms do not create new barriers. Pointing to India’s Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS), an AI-assisted translation tool, Justice Surya Kant said such initiatives help litigants access judicial decisions in their regional languages, ensuring that language does not become an obstacle to justice.
Emphasising the need to bridge the digital divide, the Chief Justice cautioned that constitutional systems committed to equality cannot allow the emergence of a tiered justice system based on technological access. He also raised concerns about data security and confidentiality in an increasingly digital legal environment, stressing that maintaining client privilege, data integrity, and cybersecurity must remain central to technological reforms.
During his address, Justice Surya Kant also suggested scalable technological solutions for Bhutan’s judicial system, including the creation of digital “Justice Kiosks” in remote areas, simplified bilingual digital filing systems, and expansion of tele-law platforms to strengthen legal aid and early dispute resolution.
Encouraging deeper collaboration between the two countries, the Chief Justice announced that the Supreme Court of India would welcome internship opportunities for Bhutanese law students, enabling them to gain first-hand exposure to India’s judicial processes.
Concluding his address, Justice Surya Kant remarked that technology must remain a tool in the service of fairness, transparency, and human dignity, reiterating that justice should not remain confined within courtrooms but must reach people in their everyday lives.