Introduction:
In a momentous announcement at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the approval of Rs. 800 crores for the expansion of the Supreme Court’s complex. The occasion marked the 75th year of the Supreme Court’s existence, replacing the Federal Court of India and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1950. Alongside this, the Prime Minister launched key citizen-centric information and technology initiatives, emphasizing the government’s commitment to modernizing the judicial system.
Expansion Fund Allocation and Futuristic Building:
Prime Minister Modi addressed the challenges faced by the present Supreme Court building and acknowledged the recent approval of Rs. 800 crores for the expansion of the complex. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had previously hinted at a new futuristic building for the Supreme Court, indicating a positive step towards a more efficient and technologically advanced judiciary.
Digital Initiatives Launched:
As part of the celebrations, PM Modi launched Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and the new bilingual website of the Supreme Court. The Digital SCR initiative aims to provide citizens with free access to Supreme Court judgments in electronic format, covering 36,308 cases since 1950. Digital Courts 2.0 integrates artificial intelligence for real-time transcription of court records, enhancing accessibility for judges.
Government’s Vision for Justice:
The Prime Minister emphasized the transformative role of technology in the justice system, highlighting the recent revamping of India’s criminal laws and the ongoing training of government officials. With a focus on ease of living and justice, PM Modi called for the Supreme Court’s active involvement in capacity building for all stakeholders. He expressed the government’s commitment to enhancing the physical infrastructure of courts, allocating over Rs. 7000 crores since 2014.
E-Court Mission and Technology’s Role:
PM Modi announced the approval of the third stage of the e-court mission project with four times more funds than the previous phase. He commended CJI Chandrachud’s leadership in monitoring the digitization process of courts across India. Stressing the potential of technology to make citizens’ lives easier, the Prime Minister encouraged the incorporation of such advancements in the judicial system.