Justice Masih inaugurates regional conference on ‘Advancing Rules of Law through Technology: Challenges and Opportunities’
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh–
Justice Augustine George Masih, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, said that technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be used in the judicial system to make the justice delivery process smoother and more effective, but the final responsibility for decision-making must always remain with judges.
Justice Augustine George Masih made these remarks while addressing a North Zone Regional Conference on the theme “Advancing Rules of Law through Technology: Challenges and Opportunities,” organized with the joint collaboration of the National Judicial Academy, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and the Chandigarh Judicial Academy.
He said that justice is not merely about disposing of cases in a technical or mechanical manner; it also involves a human perspective and sensitivity. Technology, algorithms, and AI can assist the judicial system by providing information and expediting processes, but they cannot be seen as decision-makers. In the present circumstances, the authority and responsibility for judicial decisions must remain with judges.
He further stated that digital and electronic technologies hold immense potential and can help improve transparency and efficiency in the judicial system. However, it is equally important that the benefits of these technologies effectively reach ordinary citizens and litigants, and that they are adequately informed and trained in their use.
Justice Augustine George Masih emphasized that the purpose of technology is not to replace justice but to make judicial processes more effective, transparent, and time-bound. Stressing the need for cooperation among the judiciary, executive, and other institutions, he said that merely identifying challenges in the judicial system is not enough; concrete and practical solutions must also be presented.
Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Sheel Nagu, highlighted the growing role of technology in the judicial field and said that it is becoming an important means to make the justice system more effective, transparent, and accessible. However, he added that safeguarding the fundamental principles of justice while using technology is equally essential.
The Chief Justice said that the rule of law is not just a principle but a guarantee of justice, fairness, and equality for every citizen. Every court order and proceeding aims to strengthen this trust. In the present era, technology has impacted nearly every sphere of life, and the justice system is no exception. Digitization of court processes, electronic preservation of records, and modern communication methods have made judicial functioning faster and more efficient.
He stated that alongside technological advancement, the core principles of the justice system—fairness, transparency, accessibility, and reasoned decision-making—must always remain paramount. Technology can assist judicial processes, but the final decision and responsibility will always lie with the judge. While technology has simplified procedures and helped reduce delays, it is equally important to ensure that access to justice is not hindered for citizens with limited resources. The justice system must remain inclusive so that no section of society feels deprived of justice due to technological changes.
Former Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Aniruddha Bose, said that the role of technology in the judicial system is continuously increasing, but the ultimate power of delivering justice must always rest with human wisdom and sensitivity. He noted that the National Judicial Academy organizes two regional meetings annually for each of the five regions of the country, where contemporary issues related to the judiciary are discussed in depth. Today, technology has secured an important place in the judicial process. It not only serves as administrative support and a tool for legal research for judges but is also being used in some cases to predict possible outcomes of decisions.
Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Suvir Sehgal, while expressing gratitude to the distinguished guests and judges present at the inaugural session, said that such inspiring addresses and visionary guidance aimed at strengthening institutional capacity provide new energy to the judicial system. He expressed confidence that the discussions in the upcoming technical sessions of the conference would prove highly useful and would contribute significantly to strengthening the rule of law in the digital age.
On this occasion, Chief Justices and judges from various High Courts, including those from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Allahabad, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court, along with numerous participants from the northern region, were present.