Judiciary Needs To Function Like Hospitals 24x7 To Deliver Immediate Justice To Common Citizens: CJI Surya Kant

The programme was attended by Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court judges Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Justice Prasanna B. Varale, Justice N. Kotishwar Singh and Justice Alok Aradhe, along with Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, and other dignitaries.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva delivered the welcome address and introduced various software applications and digital initiatives developed by the Information Technology Team of the High Court.

During the event, the High Court showcased several digital initiatives, including the Online Criminal Justice Ecosystem, CLASS (Courtroom Live Audio-Visual Streaming System), a new High Court portal, PRATHAM AI-enabled Judicial Digital Repository, Copying Automation & Judicial Information Dissemination System, and the Inmate Release Automation System (IRAS). The Annual Report 2025 of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh was also released.

The programme also witnessed the launch of “Sanket Vaani – Where Silence Meets Justice” and the e-inauguration of “Sanket Samvad Madhyasthata Kendra”, aimed at improving accessibility for persons with hearing and speech impairments. The Chief Justice of India described the mediation and justice delivery mechanisms for hearing and speech impaired communities as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

Additionally, Model Community Mediation Centres established at the ward level in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation, Jabalpur, were e-inaugurated. The High Court also launched JOTI Journal 2.0, an online law search software developed by the Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Surya Kant said technology had become a powerful instrument for democratizing access to justice and ensuring immediate relief to citizens. Drawing a comparison with hospitals, he observed that the judiciary must evolve to respond promptly to the urgent needs of litigants.

Recalling his earlier observations made during the Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Jharkhand High Court on November 14, 2025, the CJI stated that the time had come for the judiciary to function like hospitals on a 24x7 basis with an effective emergency response mechanism to address the aspirations and expectations of common citizens.

He further stated that the justice delivery system must be capable of providing immediate relief in urgent matters, including premature release of inmates, access to case status information, urgent hearings, and legal assistance for mediation. He described the implementation of the software systems as a significant step towards creating a comprehensive digital judicial platform.

Justice Surya Kant also congratulated Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, companion judges, judicial officers and the Government of Madhya Pradesh for implementing the technological reforms. He added that such initiatives should expand across the country through the development of a national-level integrated digital judicial platform.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav lauded the High Court's efforts towards judicial modernisation and technology-enabled governance, while Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva stated that the initiatives were aimed at creating an integrated and citizen-oriented justice delivery ecosystem ensuring transparency, efficiency and inclusivity. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also appreciated the High Court for adopting innovative technology-driven practices.

The programme concluded with the felicitation of winners of “Ullas” cultural activities organised for children of High Court employees, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Justice Vivek Rusia and the National Anthem.