Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan engages in a discussion with Supreme Court Justice B. R. Gavai during the inauguration of the SC-ST Buds Special Courts at the Kerala High Court Auditorium on Friday.
Supreme Court Justice B. R. Gavai emphasized that justice should be accessible to all, regardless of an individual’s ability to hire legal counsel or their geographical location.
During the inauguration of various digital initiatives by the Kerala High Court on Friday, Justice Gavai noted that technology now allows individuals in the most remote areas of the country to access justice easily. These technological advancements aim to provide affordable justice to everyone, fulfilling the broader goals of social and economic justice along with political equity.
Launch of Major Initiatives
The initiatives unveiled included a dedicated digital court for cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act in Kollam, an online dispute resolution system, a digital library and legal research center, and a learning management system for the Kerala Judicial Academy. Additionally, plans for digital district courts and a model digital courtroom concept were announced alongside the release of the Kerala Judicial Academy’s annual report.
Justice Gavai highlighted that technological advancements allowed the Supreme Court to resume operations within 48 hours of the COVID-19 lockdown announcement, successfully delivering justice during that critical period to millions of citizens. The court addressed significant public interest issues, including the distribution of oxygen supply to various states during the pandemic.
However, he advised caution, stating that while technology is beneficial, artificial intelligence should not replace human judgment.
Kerala’s Commitment to Justice
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reaffirmed the state’s dedication to protecting the rights of marginalized communities with the inauguration of the Special Court for cases under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Ernakulam. He also inaugurated another Special Court for cases pertaining to the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act in Alappuzha.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Supreme Court judges, the Acting Chief Justice of Kerala, and various state ministers, all emphasizing the critical role of the judiciary in fostering justice and equity.
