PM Modi Inaugurates Supreme Court’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration
Context:
On January 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court of India at its auditorium in Delhi.
- During the event, he launched several citizen-centric information and technology initiatives, including the Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new bilingual website.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Indian Polity)
Prime Minister’s Address and Emphasis on Constitutional Values:
- PM Modi congratulated the gathering on the commencement of the Supreme Court’s 75th year and noted that the Constitution of India was also entering its 75th year.
- He praised the Supreme Court for its role in upholding fundamental principles of freedom, equality, and justice, which have had a profound impact on individual rights and freedom of speech.
Government’s Commitment to Judicial Access and Infrastructure Development:
- PM Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring access to justice, particularly in remote areas, through initiatives like the E-Courts Mission Project’s third phase.
- He acknowledged infrastructure challenges and announced the recent approval of Rs 800 crore for the expansion of the Supreme Court Building Complex.
Digital Initiatives and Modernization of Legal Framework:
- Expressing satisfaction with digital initiatives such as Digital Supreme Court Reports and real-time translation using AI, PM Modi stressed the importance of laws reflecting both Indian values and modernity.
- He highlighted the government’s efforts in abolishing outdated colonial laws and introducing new legislation to meet contemporary needs.
Vision for a Developed India and the Role of the Supreme Court:
- PM Modi outlined the government’s initiatives, including the Jan Vishwas Bill and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, aimed at fostering a robust legal framework.
- He emphasized the collective responsibility of citizens in realizing India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 and recognized the significant role the Supreme Court will play in shaping the country’s future.
The e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project :
- The e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project is a part of the National e-Governance Plan, initiated in 2007 to develop Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capabilities within the Indian Judiciary.
- Implemented in collaboration with the e-Committee of the Supreme Court of India and the Department of Justice, the project has undergone two phases:
- Phase I, carried out from 2011 to 2015, laid the foundation for ICT development.
- Phase II, initiated in 2015, focused on computerizing various District & Subordinate courts.
- Phase III of the e-Courts Project has been conceptualized, with a finalized Vision Document approved by the eCommittee, Supreme Court of India. It envisions a judicial system that is more affordable, accessible, cost-effective, predictable, reliable, and transparent for all stakeholders.
- Phase III introduces several new features, including:
- Implementation of Digital and Paperless Courts to digitize court proceedings.
- Establishment of Online Courts to minimize physical presence of litigants or lawyers.
- Expansion of Virtual Courts beyond handling Traffic Violations cases.
- Utilization of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for case analysis and forecasting future litigation trends.
- The objective of Phase III is to modernize and streamline the judicial process, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in the delivery of justice across India.
