E-courts, media synergy, & AI in judiciary take centre stage at north zone judges’ conference

Dehradun: The two-day Regional Conference of Judges of the North Zone concluded on Sunday with discussions on judicial digitisation, media's evolving role, and the integration of artificial intelligence in courtrooms. Justice Rajesh Bindal provided an in-depth overview of the e-Court project, highlighting its structured rollout across the judiciary.
Citing virtual courts as a breakthrough, Justice Bindal noted that a significant volume of cases—particularly those involving online traffic challans, are now being disposed of swiftly through digital means. "Currently, around 52.3 lakh court orders and judgments have been uploaded, yet only 21.8 lakh have been downloaded. This gap signals a lack of awareness among litigants," he said, stressing the urgent need to enhance technological infrastructure and public outreach.
Earlier, on Saturday, the conference hosted a symposium focused on the media-judiciary interface. Supreme Court judge Justice Manmohan, who moderated the session, addressed subordinate court judges on the mutual reliance between the two institutions and the challenges that arise. He said that media coverage of court proceedings has significantly contributed to public understanding of legal rights and the inner workings of the judiciary.
"Judicial reporting is providing citizens with unprecedented insight into court processes and decisions," Justice Manmohan said. Referencing a historical case from 1957, he recalled how the SC had upheld temporary censorship under the Punjab Special Powers (Press) Act, 1956, to prevent potential communal unrest during a sensitive period. He used the case to illustrate the delicate balance between free press and public order.
Justice M Sundar also addressed growing concerns around data security, calling it one of the judiciary's most critical challenges. "We must explore viable contingency plans in the event of a data collapse," he said.
Justices Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice M Sundar conveyed their perspectives on the utilisation of artificial intelligence in preparing current decisions/orders and examined the extent to which AI can support courts in drafting orders, the associated challenges, and accountability for any legal ramifications. They additionally furnished comprehensive guidance on addressing online misconduct.
In a joint session, Justices Sanjeev Sachdeva and M Sundar also shared their insights on the role of artificial intelligence in judicial decision-making. They discussed the potential of AI to assist in drafting orders, while also highlighting legal and ethical considerations, including the question of accountability for AI-generated outcomes. The session concluded with practical guidance on tackling online misconduct and cyber threats in the digital age.