Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said technology, if used wisely, can cut judicial delays and bring greater transparency in courts. He stressed that digital tools can make justice more accessible, especially for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and people in remote areas.
Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, laid the foundation stones for seven new buildings at the Patna High Court premises and also took part in the ground-breaking ceremony for the new campus of the Bihar Judicial Academy (BJA).
The events marked a significant step towards strengthening judicial infrastructure and improving access to justice in Bihar.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice Kant emphasised that the strength of any judicial institution today is closely linked to its technological capacity. He highlighted the importance of using technology in a meaningful way to make the justice delivery system faster, more transparent, and more inclusive.
Explaining how technology can help common people, he said,
“Appropriate use of technology can reduce delay, improve transparency and make courts more approachable for the elderly, persons with special disabilities, and those who reside in remote areas. This is what we call access to justice”.
During the event, the Chief Justice also dedicated an e-ACR platform for judicial officers. This digital platform has been designed to modernise and simplify the process of filing and processing Annual Confidential Reports by shifting the entire system online.
In addition, he e-inaugurated the Judges’ guest house at Gaya Ji, adding another important facility for the judiciary.
The seven new buildings planned within the Patna High Court campus include an auditorium, an administrative block, a multi-level car parking facility, a residential complex, and a hospital, among other essential structures.
Explaining the deeper meaning of building judicial institutions, Chief Justice Kant referred to traditional Bihari wisdom and said that institutions should be seen as living entities rather than fixed structures.
He remarked,
“not static monuments”.
Drawing historical parallels, he said that Nalanda University was remembered not only for its physical structures but also for its openness to debates, discipline, and reasoning.
Similarly, ancient Patliputra is known not just as a centre of political power, but as a place where administration, ethics, and public welfare came together.
Placing the Patna High Court in this historical and constitutional context, the Chief Justice described it as a proud legacy of India’s constitutional framework. Stressing the role of infrastructure in judicial efficiency, he explained that a modern administrative block plays a role similar to the nervous system in the human body.
It is where case filings are handled, records are managed, and case flow is monitored. Although these functions appear routine, they are essential for the smooth functioning of courts. He underlined that courts must be supported by strong infrastructure so that
“judicial authority to be exercised meaningfully”.
Speaking at the same programme, Ahsanuddin Amanullah of the Supreme Court of India said that the primary focus of the judiciary should always remain on delivering justice, regardless of infrastructural challenges.
He cited the Patna High Court as an example of a court that has consistently ensured justice even in difficult circumstances.
Justice Amanullah also praised the Bihar State government for its cooperation with the High Court over the years. Expressing his appreciation, he said,
“We would like to thank because the [State] government has been very cooperative with the High Court. In my entire tenure, I never found the government really to be at loggerheads. We always received very good support. Learned Advocate General P.K. Shahi has been very instrumental in being the face between the two.”
Supreme Court Judge Rajesh Bindal shared his observations on the changing judicial landscape in Bihar. He said that he has seen significant improvements in the State over time and spoke about the deeper meaning of courts and justice.
He remarked,
“The court is a temple of justice and whichever temple it may be, it is not made of bricks and cement. Rather it is priests like us [judges] whose efforts are required to make it a temple in real sense,”
Sudhir Singh, the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, said that the newly announced initiatives will greatly improve working conditions for judges, lawyers, and court staff.
He added that these developments will also directly help litigants by making the justice delivery system more responsive, efficient, and technology-driven.
Overall, the foundation-laying ceremonies and digital initiatives reflect a clear commitment by the judiciary to combine strong infrastructure, modern technology, and constitutional values to improve access to justice for people across Bihar and beyond.
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