Digitalization of Indian Judiciary

Syllabus: GS2/Judiciary 

In News

• Kalpetta district in Kerala’s Wayanad has become India’s first fully paperless district court system, with all judicial processes conducted digitally from case filing to final judgment. 

Digitalization of Indian Judiciary

• Artificial Intelligence is bringing a major transformation to India’s judiciary and law enforcement by improving efficiency, accessibility, and decision-making.
• It is aimed at reducing case backlogs, improving transparency, and enhancing access to justice. 

Importance of Digitization

• Access to Justice: Digital platforms reduce geographical barriers, allowing citizens to track cases online.
  •  AI integration into judicial procedures, case management, legal research, and policing is helping streamline operations, reduce delays, and widen access to justice. 
• Transparency: Real-time updates and digital records minimize scope for manipulation.
• Efficiency: Automation reduces paperwork, speeds up summons/warrants, and streamlines case management.
• Language Inclusivity: AI-driven translation tools help bridge India’s linguistic diversity in legal proceedings.

 Challenges

• Limited internet penetration and lack of digital literacy in rural areas hinder inclusivity.
• Many district courts lack adequate hardware, connectivity, and trained staff.
• Sensitive judicial data requires robust cybersecurity frameworks.
• Traditional legal practices and reluctance among stakeholders slow adoption.

Related Steps 

• The Supreme Court of India has constituted an AI committee which is responsible for conceptualising, implementing, and monitoring the use of artificial intelligence in the Indian judiciary
• Under the third phase of the eCourts project, which was approved for four years from 2023-24, a sum of ₹53.57 crore has been allocated for future technological advancements, such as AI and blockchain
• An AI-based tool, the Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency (SUPACE), is in the experimental stage of development.
  •  This tool aims to develop a module to understand the factual matrix of cases with an intelligent search of the precedents, apart from identifying the cases
• Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) Integrates police, forensics, jails, and courts into a unified digital platform.
• National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) provides real-time data on case pendency and disposal across courts.

Conclusion

• Artificial Intelligence is reshaping India’s judiciary and law enforcement by improving efficiency, accessibility, and governance through advanced case management, legal research, and crime prevention tools. 
• While its adoption requires strong data security, transparency, and legal safeguards to complement human judgment, sustained investment and regulation can make the justice system faster, more transparent, and accessible to all.

Source :BS