“Technology Double-Edged Sword, Must Enhance Functions Not Replace Decision Making”: CJI BR Gavai

CJI BR Gavai

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has underlined the need for responsible adoption of technology in the judiciary, cautioning that digital tools must complement, not replace, human judgment.

Delivering his address at an international symposium titled “The Role of Technology to Improve Access to Justice”, held at the University of Cambridge on June 9, the CJI spoke of the promise and perils of digital innovation in legal systems.

“Technology is a double-edged sword. While it can transform access to justice, it may also deepen divides if inclusivity isn’t prioritised,” Justice Gavai said.

India’s Digital Push

The CJI showcased India’s proactive approach in embracing legal technology, especially in response to the needs of its diverse and geographically dispersed population. He highlighted that video conferencing had become a courtroom staple, allowing lawyers from far-flung areas to appear before higher courts without incurring the costs of travel.

“A lawyer from rural Bihar or Maharashtra can now argue before the Supreme Court—something unimaginable a decade ago,” he noted.

Justice for All, Not Just the Digitally Enabled

Justice Gavai, however, flagged the digital divide as a growing concern. He pointed out that lack of access to internet, devices, and digital literacy risks excluding vulnerable communities from legal recourse.

“Technology must be designed with accessibility at its heart. Otherwise, it may exclude those who already face barriers to justice,” he warned.

AI, Legal Tech & the Human Element

Highlighting the importance of human oversight, the CJI cautioned against over-reliance on automated systems.

“The role of judges—to reason, to weigh context, and to decide fairly—can’t be delegated to machines,” he said. “Governance frameworks must ensure transparency and accountability in tech-driven decisions.”

Innovation In Action

Justice Gavai spotlighted several initiatives, including,

Case Information System for real-time case updates

Video conferencing for remote hearings

SUVAS, an AI-powered translation tool enabling legal access in nine regional languages

National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), which now tracks over 23 crore cases and 22 crore orders from more than 18,000 courts

These tools, he said, are “lifelines for those who might otherwise remain outside the legal system.”

A Constitutionally Mandated Mission

Justice Gavai reiterated that access to justice is not just a policy objective, but a constitutional mandate, embedded in Articles 32 and 226, which allow direct access to the Supreme Court and High Courts for the enforcement of rights.

“Technology today acts as a bridge between the Constitution’s promise and citizens’ lived reality,” he said.

Technology With Accountability

Concluding his address, CJI Gavai called for policy-backed, human-centered digital transformation.

“Technology should expand the reach of justice—but never overshadow the values of fairness, accountability, and individualised decision-making,” he said.