The Prime Minister made this announcement while delivering the inaugural address to mark the Diamond Jubilee anniversary of the Supreme Court, marking the 75th anniversary of its establishment.
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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Supreme Court, announced a substantial allocation of Rs. 800 crores for the expansion of the Supreme Court’s complex. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Indian judiciary, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening legal institutions.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi acknowledged the challenges faced in the current Supreme Court building.
“I am also conscious of the difficulties being faced by you all in the present Supreme Court building…last week itself, the government has approved a sum of Rs.800 crores to be utilized for expansion of the Supreme Court Building Complex,”
–he stated, highlighting the government’s proactive approach in addressing the needs of the judiciary.
The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, had previously hinted at this development, mentioning the plan for a new, futuristic building for the Supreme Court. This expansion is not just a physical enhancement but also symbolizes the evolution and modernization of India’s highest judicial body.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations, marking 75 years of the Supreme Court’s existence, were not just a commemoration but also a launchpad for several citizen-centric initiatives. These include the Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new website for the Supreme Court. The Digi SCR initiative is particularly noteworthy as it makes Supreme Court judgments freely accessible in electronic format, democratizing legal information.
The Digital Courts 2.0 application, a part of the e-Courts project, aims to digitize court records for district court judges and incorporates artificial intelligence for real-time speech-to-text transcription. These technological advancements are set to revolutionize the Indian judicial system, making it more accessible and efficient.
In his address, PM Modi paid homage to the framers of the Indian Constitution and applauded the Supreme Court’s role in upholding the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. He emphasized the court’s significant contributions to India’s vibrant democracy, particularly in safeguarding individual rights and freedom of speech.
The Prime Minister also touched upon the broader context of legal reforms, citing the recent overhaul of India’s criminal laws and the ongoing capacity-building exercises for government officials.
“Today, India’s priority is ease of living, ease of doing business, ease of travelling, ease of communication and along with it ease of justice. Indian citizen deserves ease of justice and Supreme Court is the prime medium for it…I request the Supreme Court to come forward for capacity building of all stakeholders,”
-he urged.
Highlighting the Supreme Court’s pivotal role in guiding the entire justice delivery system, PM Modi announced the approval of the 3rd stage of the e-court mission project, with a budget significantly higher than its predecessor. This move underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing judicial accessibility and efficiency across the nation.
The Prime Minister concluded his address by acknowledging the posthumous honor of Padma Bhushan awarded to Justice Fathima Beevi, the first woman Supreme Court judge, expressing pride in this recognition of her contributions.
This allocation for the Supreme Court complex expansion, coupled with the launch of various digital initiatives, marks a transformative phase in India’s judicial landscape, promising a future where justice is more accessible, efficient, and in tune with the needs of a modern India.
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