On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi stated that the ease of obtaining justice or universal access to the justice delivery system is crucial to maximising citizens ease of living and conducting business, and that the use of technology with a pro people focus can act as a force multiplier in this process.
Speaking to a group of judges and attorneys from the constitutional court at the Supreme Court Annexe on Legal Services Day, Modi stated that over the past 11 years, the government has concentrated on making doing business easier by eliminating over 40,000 compliances, 3,400 legal provisions, and over 1,500 outdated laws in addition to reviewing the outdated penal laws.
"Ease of doing business and ease of living is only possible when ease of justice is ensured," he stated, noting that the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been instrumental in connecting the general public to the legal system for the past thirty years.
The PM cited comments by CJI B R Gavai and CJI designate Surya Kant about NALSA's efforts to avoid and resolve lakhs of disputes through mediation during the past three years, stating that "community mediation" is an age old Indian practice that fosters harmony and lowers litigation. Modi emphasised the significance of technology by saying, "Technology can be disruptive. However, it can be a democratic force if it has a pro-people objective.
"For instance, UPI has revolutionised digital payments." Optical fibers are being used to connect villages. There are one lakh mobile towers being built. He added that the government has approved more than Rs 7,000 crore for the judiciary's technological advancement.
"Legal professionals, judges, and judicial officers must come together to chalk out a plan of action to make the justice delivery system advanced and accessible so that it is in sync with the goal of a developed India by 2047." Until the marginalised are informed of their rights, they will not receive justice. District courts and HCs are required to translate rulings into eighteen languages in accordance with the SC policy.
"The litigants must comprehend the language of justice. Only then will there be less litigation and more compliance, according to Modi.
According to CJI Gavai, NALSA has provided the disadvantaged, exploited, and forlorn class of citizens hope that someone will defend their rights.
"The system should not be reactive but proactive to prevent abuse of rights," he stated. Kant, the CJI designate and executive chairman of NALSA, stated, "The true measure of a justice system is not how swiftly it decides complex cases, but how deeply it touches the lives of ordinary citizens."
Justice Kant stated, "Technology does offer real opportunities like online conciliations and digital complaint portals, but technology alone will not suffice," reiterating PM's emphasis on the role of technology. Human empathy, linguistic accessibility, and local knowledge must serve as its compass.
