CJI BR Gavai: AI Must Support, Not Supplant, Judicial Judgment

Chief Justice of India Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud's successor, CJI B.R. Gavai, emphasized the need for caution in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology into the judicial system, warning that automated decision-making must not override human judicial reasoning.

Delivering a lecture on “Role of Technology to Improve Access to Justice” at Cambridge University, CJI Gavai acknowledged the transformative impact of technology on Indian courts, while urging restraint in surrendering core judicial functions to machines.

“Technology must enhance rather than replace judicial functions, particularly reasoned decision-making and individual case assessment,” he said. “Automated systems must support, not supplant, judicial judgment.”

Balancing Innovation and Integrity

CJI Gavai addressed the global concerns emerging from the rise of automated legal systems, cautioning against the erosion of human discretion in justice delivery. He cited the risks of algorithmic bias, discriminatory outcomes, and privacy breaches, particularly when AI systems are trained on flawed historical data.

“Technology, like any human creation, does not naturally possess clean hands,” he warned. “It can carry the stains of exclusion, systemic bias, and unfairness embedded in its very code.”

Privacy and Cybersecurity in a Digital Judiciary

The Chief Justice highlighted the vulnerability of digitized judicial data, stressing the need for strong cybersecurity and privacy safeguards in a system that handles sensitive personal and legal information.

Digital Tools Driving Access to Justice

Enumerating various technological advancements in the Indian judiciary, CJI Gavai pointed to:

• SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) – for translating judgments into regional languages

• e-Courts Project – for tracking case status and accessing orders in real-time

• National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) – providing public access to real-time statistics on case pendency

• NALSA Tools – such as Nyay Mitra, Nyay Sampark, and the LESA app, which assist citizens in availing free legal aid

He emphasized how video conferencing, automated case management, and electronic workflows are helping reduce procedural delays and improving efficiency.

“These innovations are transforming constitutional rights into real-world services, reducing delays, and building public trust in the judiciary.”

Addressing the Digital Divide

Despite these strides, CJI Gavai voiced concern about digital inequality in India.

“Technology can become a double-edged sword,” he said, citing unequal access to devices, internet, and digital literacy as barriers for marginalized communities. “For technology to truly serve justice, accessibility and inclusion must be foundational to its design.”