District Judiciary Must Be Strengthened for Effective Legal Grievance Redressal: SC Judge Gavai Emphasizes Need For Infrastructure And Technology
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The district judiciary stands as the cornerstone of the legal grievance redressal system in India, and according to Supreme Court Judge Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, its full potential can only be realized if it is bolstered with adequate infrastructure—both physical and technological. Justice Gavai made these remarks on Saturday during the inauguration of the NSTEP (National Summons Tracking and Electronic Processing) system, a new technological initiative aimed at improving the efficiency of summons processing in criminal cases. The event was held at the Telangana State Judicial Academy in Secunderabad.
In his address, Justice Gavai highlighted the critical need to enhance both the physical infrastructure and technological tools available to the district judiciary. “Without adequate infrastructure, both physical and technological, the full potential of judicial reforms cannot be realized,” he stressed. He also noted that the district judiciary, which is the backbone of the country’s legal system, requires a robust and modernized framework to deliver swift and fair justice.
Justice Gavai emphasized that the district judiciary faces several challenges, from lack of access to modern digital tools to insufficient human resources, which hinder its efficiency and effectiveness. To address these challenges, he called for comprehensive improvements, including better facilities, better access to digital tools, and improved connectivity. These advancements, he asserted, are essential for empowering district judges and ensuring they can administer justice effectively and in a timely manner.
While acknowledging the importance of technological advancements, Justice Gavai made it clear that equal focus must be given to improving the physical infrastructure of district courts. He explained that investing in district judiciary infrastructure is not just about modernizing systems—it is about ensuring that justice is delivered swiftly and fairly at every level, especially at the grassroots, where citizens most often interact with the legal system.
“The adoption of technology marks a transformative phase for the judiciary,” Justice Gavai said, emphasizing that the legal system is standing at the intersection of traditional procedures and cutting-edge technology. He observed that technological tools hold the potential to address many systemic inefficiencies, including bridging geographical and socio-economic barriers that often hinder access to legal remedies. By reducing manual errors and speeding up the delivery of justice, technology can become a powerful enabler for ensuring that justice reaches all corners of the country.
Justice Alok Aradya, Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, spoke on the state’s pioneering efforts in judicial reform, revealing that Telangana had become the first state in India to implement the NSTEP system for civil cases. Following its success, the system has now been extended to criminal cases, significantly reducing delays in the service of summons.
Director General of Police Jitendra, who was present at the event, elaborated on how the new system would work in practice. Summons for criminal cases will now be sent electronically to the concerned police stations, where police personnel will then serve the summons via mobile phones or email to the individuals concerned. This digital approach not only speeds up the process but also ensures that summons is served more reliably, cutting down on manual errors and delays.
The NSTEP initiative represents a significant step forward in streamlining judicial processes and improving the efficiency of the legal system. As technological innovations continue to shape the future of the judiciary, Justice Gavai’s comments underscore the need for comprehensive reforms that integrate both infrastructure improvements and digital advancements, ensuring that the district judiciary can serve as an effective and accessible mechanism for justice for all citizens.
