Tech integration must not be at cost of right to be heard: Supreme Court judge

Referring to how integration of technology had aided the ease of dispensing justice, Justice Kant cautioned that this must not be at the cost of the right to be heard. “Swift justice must not become hurried justice. The delicate balance between efficiency and fairness remains the hallmark of a truly just legal system,” he said.

Justice Kant said that “the march towards digitisation holds immense promise, but it also risks creating a two-tier justice system. Those without access to technology must not become victims of digital exclusion.”

“The greatest strength of the judiciary lies in the confidence it commands from the people”, Justice Kant said, adding that “this trust is not built overnight but is forged through consistent service, unwavering integrity, and a steadfast commitment to placing people at the heart of the justice delivery system”.

He said, “Indian judiciary has long been a beacon of constitutional values and democratic resilience. From landmark judgments like Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala, which enshrined the Basic Structure doctrine, to the transformative strides in digitization under the e-Courts Project, India’s judicial system has continuously evolved to meet the aspirations of its citizens.”

Justice Kant said that “our discourse today is not merely about service delivery, but it is about justice transformation. We stand at the crossroads of history, where the weight of tradition must give way to the winds of innovation.”

Complementing the Kenyan judiciary for the strides made in adoption of technology, Justice Kant said similarly, the journey of the Indian judiciary is a testament to the philosophy that “justice is not a privilege, but a right”, and one that must be delivered without delay, without discrimination, and without dilution.

On transparency, he said that it “is the currency of trust in a democratic society. The publication of judgments, digitization of court records, and adoption of Open Data Initiatives empower citizens to hold the judiciary accountable. Just as sunlight is the best disinfectant, transparency serves as the strongest safeguard against opacity and suspicion.”

Regarding judicial independence, Justice Kant said that “too is the bedrock of constitutional democracy”, adding that “it must be fortified by unwavering integrity. The fight against corruption is not just a legal battle, it is a fight for the very soul of justice.”

Justice Kant said that as the Indian and Kenyan judiciaries chart the collaborative course, “we must remember that the judiciary does not serve files, it serves human lives. Every decision, every reform, every innovation must place the citizen at the heart of our systems.”