PM Modi requested the Supreme Court’s active involvement in this transition, congratulating Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and all top court judges on the commencement of the diamond jubilee year
During the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring ‘ease of justice’ for every Indian citizen.
“The ease of justice is the right of Indian citizens and the Supreme Court is the primary medium for achieving this,”
Modi stated, urging the top court to lead in capacity-building for a smooth transition to new legal regimes.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the event, marking the 75th year since the Supreme Court’s establishment on January 28, 1950. He highlighted the government’s initiatives in abolishing colonial-era criminal laws, introducing new legislation such as the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Samhita, Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws, awaiting notification, are set to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Evidence Act. Modi described this as a significant step in modernizing India’s legal, policing, and investigative systems to align with current situations and best practices.
“Today’s economic policies will form the basis of tomorrow’s vibrant India… Laws that are being laid down today will strengthen the bright future of India… The transition from old laws to new ones should be seamless, which is imperative,”
PM Modi remarked, citing ongoing training and capacity-building initiatives for government officials.
PM Modi requested the Supreme Court’s active involvement in this transition, congratulating Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and all top court judges on the commencement of the diamond jubilee year. He emphasized the need for laws to reflect both Indian ethos and contemporary practices, stating,
“The convergence of Indian values and modernity is equally essential in our legal statute.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the Supreme Court’s role in administering the entire justice system and its duty to ensure accessibility across the country. He applauded the Court for preserving the principles of liberty, equality, and justice envisioned by the framers of the Indian Constitution.
“Whether it is freedom of expression, personal freedom or social justice, the Supreme Court has strengthened India’s vibrant democracy,”
PM Modi added, referencing landmark judgments on individual rights and freedom of speech.
Modi called a robust justice system the cornerstone of a developed India, citing the Jan Vishwas Bill, which proposes to decriminalize 183 provisions in 42 central acts, as a measure to alleviate the judiciary’s burden. He also mentioned the introduction of alternative dispute resolution through mediation.
At the ceremony, Modi launched three technology initiatives: Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new bilingual website for the Supreme Court. Digi SCR will provide free electronic access to Supreme Court judgments, while Digital Courts 2.0 will enable district court judges to access court records electronically. The new website features a user-friendly interface in English and Hindi.
The Prime Minister commended the Supreme Court for digitizing judgments and initiating the translation of verdicts into regional languages. He suggested adopting simple language in drafting court judgments and orders for better public understanding.
Modi congratulated CJI Chandrachud for efficiently monitoring the digitization of courts across the country and spoke about the government’s commitment to improving court infrastructure, including the approval of ₹800 crore for the expansion of the Supreme Court building complex. Since 2014, over ₹7,000 crore has been disbursed for upgrading court infrastructure.
Also read- Prime Minister Modi Allocates Rs 800 Crore For Supreme Court Complex Expansion (lawchakra.in)