Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said technology should support and strengthen human judgment, not replace it in courts. He cautioned that digital reforms must remain inclusive and protect the poor, elderly, and digitally unfamiliar.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday highlighted the importance of using technology carefully in the justice delivery system, saying that it should help judges and courts, not replace human decision-making.
He was speaking at a symposium in Cuttack, Odisha, on the topic
“Ensuring justice for the common man: strategies for reducing litigation costs and delays.”
The event focused on the serious problem of long delays and rising costs faced by people while seeking justice in courts.
During his address, the CJI pointed out that the problem of pending cases is affecting the entire judicial system, starting from trial courts and reaching the highest constitutional courts.
He said,
“Pendency of cases in courts clogs every level of the judicial structure, from the trial court to the constitutional court. And when a blockage occurs at the top, the pressure only intensifies below.”
He explained that when higher courts are overburdened, it directly increases pressure on lower courts, making the situation worse for litigants.
Justice Surya Kant stressed that improving judicial infrastructure is essential to reduce delays in courts. He warned that without enough courtrooms, judges, and supporting facilities, even a dedicated justice system cannot function properly.
Highlighting this concern, he said,
“This is because without sufficient courts, even the most sincere judicial system will collapse under logistical strain.”
The Chief Justice also spoke about the role technology played during the COVID-19 pandemic, when courts were forced to shift to virtual hearings.
He acknowledged that technology helped keep the justice system running during difficult times. However, he cautioned that technology also has risks and limitations.
He warned against blind dependence on digital tools and said courts must remain alert to misuse.
Referring to modern challenges such as fake digital evidence and misuse of online systems, the CJI said,
“In an age of deep fakes and digital arrests, courts cannot afford naive optimism… A reform that excludes the poor, elderly, or digitally unfamiliar is not reform at all, it is regression. That is why I have always maintained that technology must remain a servant of justice, not its substitute. It should amplify human judgment, not replace it,”
making it clear that digital reforms must be inclusive and sensitive to people who are not comfortable with technology.
Justice Kant further spoke about the need for coordination between the three pillars of democracy — the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. He said that justice delivery cannot function properly unless all three work together.
Using a strong metaphor, he explained,
“He said a system where the executive, legislature and judiciary do not move in harmony resembles a tricycle missing a wheel — the rule of law cannot balance, let alone move forward.”
He added that lack of coordination and weak infrastructure ultimately harms citizens. Even if laws are passed and police take action, justice remains incomplete without timely trials.
Emphasising this reality, he said,
“And the consequences are stark — laws may be enacted, offences registered, even liberty curtailed, yet the citizen is left waiting for the one thing that completes the promise of justice: a timely trial that the infrastructure is simply too frail to deliver.”
The symposium was attended by Orissa High Court Chief Justice Harish Tandon, several judges from high courts across the country, and Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya.
The event highlighted the urgent need for judicial reforms, better infrastructure, and responsible use of technology to ensure faster and affordable justice for the common man in India.
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