Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Supreme Court of India, unveiling a new era of citizen-centric technology initiatives aimed at improving access to justice for all.
Addressing the distinguished gathering at the Supreme Court auditorium, PM Modi hailed the apex court’s 75-year journey as a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law and constitutional democracy. He emphasized the court’s role in safeguarding fundamental rights, upholding the Constitution, and delivering justice to the common man.
The Prime Minister said that the makers of the Indian constitution saw the dream of a free India based on freedom, equality and justice and the Supreme Court has continuously tried to preserve these principles. The Prime Minister said that “Whether it is freedom of expression, personal freedom or social justice, the Supreme Court has strengthened India’s vibrant democracy.” The Prime Minister noted the milestone judgments on individual rights and freedom of speech that have given a new direction to the nation’s socio-political environment.
Prime Minister launched three path breaking initiatives:
Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR): This landmark project makes all 519 volumes of Supreme Court judgments, encompassing over 36,000 cases since 1950, readily available to the public in a user-friendly, bookmarked, and completely free digital format. This open-access platform promises to democratize access to legal knowledge and empower citizens by putting vital legal precedents at their fingertips.
Digital Courts 2.0: Taking the e-courts project to the next level, Digital Courts 2.0 equips district court judges with electronic access to court records, streamlining judicial processes and reducing delays. The integrated use of Artificial Intelligence for real-time speech-to-text transcription further enhances efficiency and accuracy. This initiative signifies a bold step towards a paperless, tech-driven judiciary.
New Supreme Court Website: Unveiling a revamped and bilingual (English-Hindi) website, PM Modi stressed the importance of making the Supreme Court more accessible and transparent to the public. The user-friendly interface promises to simplify navigation, enhance information dissemination, and empower citizens to engage with the judiciary more effectively.
As India celebrates the 75th anniversary of its Constitution and the Supreme Court enters its 75th year, these digital leaps promise to redefine the landscape of Indian justice, ensuring that its benefits reach every corner of the nation.