Justice Aniruddha Bose said the rule of law must keep pace with technology to avoid a “digital apartheid.” He praised India’s digital growth but cautioned against misuse of AI and manipulated digital evidence in judiciary.
Shillong: Justice Aniruddha Bose, the Director of the National Judicial Academy, has stressed that the “advancement of the rule of law must keep pace with technological progress” to avoid the rise of what he called a “digital apartheid.”
Speaking at the East Zone-II Regional Conference on Advancing Rule of Law through Technology: Challenges and Opportunities in Shillong, he said that India has done well in giving people from all social backgrounds access to technology.
However, he also warned that the verification of digital evidence has become a major concern in today’s world of manipulated and fake digital content.
The conference was organised by the National Judicial Academy (NJA) in collaboration with the High Court of Meghalaya and the Meghalaya State Judicial Academy.
It took place at the Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong, and brought together Chief Justices and Judges from several High Courts across the eastern and northeastern regions of India.
Justice Bose, in his address, spoke about how the Indian judiciary has evolved over the years with the help of technology. He mentioned how courts moved from using typewriters to computers, and later embraced electronic evidence and live-streaming of court proceedings.
He highlighted that while these developments have made the judicial process more efficient and accessible, there is still a need to be careful when using advanced tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to him, the judiciary must ensure that AI is used “cautiously and in an informed manner” so that it supports justice rather than undermines it.
He further said that technology has the power to strengthen the rule of law and make justice delivery faster and more transparent, but it also brings challenges that need thoughtful handling.
“The advancement of the rule of law must keep pace with technological progress to prevent the emergence of a digital apartheid,”
Justice Bose said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining equality and fairness in access to digital resources and justice mechanisms.
Justice Bose also lauded India’s efforts in making technology accessible to all, saying that the country has successfully
“democratised access to technology across social groups.”
At the same time, he pointed out that one of the biggest challenges the judiciary faces today is ensuring that digital evidence is properly verified in an era of manipulated and fake online content.
In his welcome address, Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya, Justice Soumen Sen, also spoke about how technology has changed the justice delivery system.
He said,
“Integrating technology into the legal system enhances efficiency, transparency, and public trust,”
adding that digital tools have made courts more accessible and responsive. However, he also cautioned that these advancements come with certain challenges such as
“privacy concerns, ethical use of AI, and affordability gaps.”
The conference featured several sessions focused on how courts and legal institutions can make the best use of technology to ensure justice for all.
These sessions included discussions on Bridging the Digital Divide: Rule of e-Services, Electronic and Digital Media: Role of Courts, and Effective Use of Technology in Alternate Dispute Resolution.
The event aimed to bring together judges, legal experts, and scholars to share insights on using technology effectively and responsibly in the justice system.
The key takeaway from the conference was that while technology offers great opportunities for improving access to justice and the efficiency of courts, it must always be balanced with fairness, privacy, and ethical considerations to truly uphold the rule of law in the digital era.
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