Judges falling prey to greed, temptation must be weeded out: Supreme Court’s Justice BV Nagarathna

The speech was delivered at the 22nd Biennial State-Level Conference of Judicial Officers in Bengaluru which brought together members of the district judiciary, senior judges and key stakeholders from Karnataka’s judicial system.

Among those present were the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar, and Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Vibhu Bakhru.

She added, “I must add that Judges must be free from external pressures or from their colleagues. They must develop courage and independence. There cannot be any ‘ coordination ‘ in decision-making. A tainted decision by a Judge is a black mark on the Judge and on the Judiciary itself. Hence, let us realise and be conscious of our duty to the litigant public and to the nation.”

Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna said Judges who are unable to live within their known sources of income and fall prey to greed and temptation must be weeded out of the system.

AI in judiciary

On the role of artificial intelligence in the judiciary, Justice BV Nagarathna said that if judges begin to rely too much on AI, it can create a form of cognitive influence. AI poses a threat to human cognition by subtly shaping how humans process information and make decisions. It poses a threat to the cognitive autonomy of humans, she said.

“Therefore, the classical idea of judicial independence must evolve to include independence from undue AI influence. This means ensuring that judges retain final control over reasoning and that
use of AI remains at the periphery at all times and at all stages. Judicial independence in the modern era is not just freedom from external power, but also freedom from algorithmic influence,” said Justice BV Nagarathna.

Expanding on these concerns, Justice B V Nagarathna underscored that while artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency in courts, it cannot replace the human elements of justice such as empathy, moral reasoning and contextual understanding.

Addressing judicial officers at the conference in Bengaluru, Justice BV Nagarathna described AI as a “tool” meant to assist judges by easing administrative burdens such as research, case listing and transcription, but cautioned that overdependence could undermine independent judicial thinking.

Risks posed by AI

Justice B V Nagarathna also flagged emerging risks associated with AI, including inaccuracies and fabricated legal citations, recounting instances where non-existent case law had been presented before courts. This, she said, makes verification by advocates and judges indispensable to prevent miscarriage of justice and to preserve institutional credibility.

She further highlighted concerns around data privacy, noting that courts routinely handle sensitive personal and financial information, making them vulnerable to breaches if technological safeguards are inadequate. At a philosophical level, Justice BV Nagarathna warned that excessive reliance on technology could make justice “mechanical”, stripping it of the human sensitivity essential to fairness.

Judiciary must anchor in constitution values

Emphasising the need for balance, Justice B V Nagarathna said that the future of the judiciary must remain firmly anchored in constitutional values and the rule of law, with technology playing only a supportive role.

Referring to the broader institutional framework, Justice BV Nagarathna noted that the Supreme Court had supported improved pay structures for the district judiciary, but stressed that financial adequacy must be matched with integrity. According to her, any deviation from ethical standards not only tarnishes individual judges but erodes public trust in the justice delivery system as a whole.

Justice BV Nagarathna called on judges to maintain independence not just from external pressures but also from subtle algorithmic influences, asserting that the ultimate responsibility for decision-making must always rest with human judges.

Conclusion

The remarks come at a time when Indian courts are increasingly adopting digital tools and AI-driven systems under the e-courts initiative, even as debates continue on the ethical and institutional implications of such technologies.

Justice BV Nagarathna’s address sought to frame this transition within a principled approach, where efficiency gains do not come at the cost of judicial integrity or independence.