CJI inaugurates Rs 35 crore data centre at Jharkhand High Court

RANCHI/DEOGHAR: Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Monday inaugurated a state-of-the-art data centre at the Jharkhand High Court in Ranchi, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s judicial infrastructure through technology. Built at a cost of around Rs 35 crore, the facility is expected to improve digital record management, streamline judicial processes and strengthen access to court services.

The inauguration was part of the Chief Justice’s two-day engagements in Jharkhand, which also included a state-level Legal Services-cum-Empowerment Camp at the Deoghar Civil Court. Addressing the gathering there, Justice Surya Kant emphasised that the purpose of the judicial system should extend beyond delivering judgments in courtrooms. It must ensure that ordinary citizens can access justice, understand their rights and obtain relief in a timely manner.

The new data centre is expected to strengthen the technological backbone of the Jharkhand High Court and subordinate courts. According to the details reported at the inauguration, around 460 judicial officers will have access to advanced digital tools, including AI-enabled speech-to-text software, to assist in recording judicial proceedings and preparing orders and judgments.

The facility is also expected to support digital case records, electronic services, video conferencing and the secure management of judicial information. The initiative aims to improve coordination between the High Court and district courts while reducing dependence on physical records and manual processes.

AI-enabled tools to support judicial work

One of the key features highlighted during the inauguration was the introduction of speech-to-text technology for judicial officers. The software is expected to enable judges to dictate and prepare judicial documents more efficiently.

The AI-enabled facility is also intended to assist judicial officers in accessing relevant legal information and managing their work. The initiative seeks to reduce the administrative burden on judges and allow them to devote more time to judicial responsibilities.

The High Court has also introduced a new official website and mobile application to improve access to judicial information. The digital services include personalised cause lists for advocates, access to case status and orders, and facilities for obtaining certified copies of judicial documents online.

The new arrangements are expected to make court-related information more accessible to litigants and lawyers, particularly those who have to travel long distances to obtain case-related documents or check the progress of proceedings.

The data centre will also strengthen the security and management of sensitive judicial information. Justice Anand Sen, who was associated with the inauguration programme, highlighted the importance of secure data management, technological independence and institutional accountability in the judicial system.

CJI stresses justice in people’s own language

During his address in Deoghar, Justice Surya Kant said the real meaning of justice was not confined to access to courts. It also included ensuring that people received the benefits and entitlements guaranteed to them.

He cited examples such as restoring a pension withheld from an elderly woman, ensuring that a worker receives wages due to him, helping a child continue education and providing timely assistance to a family affected by hardship.

He said legal services institutions must reach people in need, listen to their problems sensitively and help them secure their rights.

The CJI particularly emphasised the need to spread legal awareness in tribal and remote areas of Jharkhand through local languages. He underlined the role of Para-Legal Volunteers in bridging the gap between legal institutions and communities that often struggle to access formal justice mechanisms.

He also called for stronger legal aid services, timely assistance to victims and continued support for children requiring protection and care.

Referring to the NALSA’s Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, launched to provide legal assistance to soldiers and their families, and the Mediation for the Nation campaign, he highlighted the importance of resolving disputes through accessible legal support and mutual settlement.

He stressed that the success of legal services initiatives should not be measured merely by the number of beneficiaries who receive assistance at a camp. Pending applications must be followed up, concerned departments must review their progress regularly, and officials responsible for delivering benefits must be held accountable.

Rs 14.47 crore distributed among 1,880 beneficiaries

The state-level Legal Services-cum-Empowerment Camp was organised at the Deoghar Civil Court under the aegis of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA), with the support of the District Legal Services Authority and the Deoghar district administration.

According to the official press release, financial assistance and benefits worth Rs 14.469 crore were distributed among 1,880 beneficiaries under various Central and state government welfare schemes.

Beneficiaries received different forms of assistance and assets. Financial support and compensation were also provided through cheques to eligible beneficiaries and victims.

The initiative was aimed at connecting disadvantaged and economically weaker sections with government welfare programmes, social security benefits and free legal assistance.

Justice Surya Kant said that people should not be deprived of their legal rights because of a lack of information, documents or proper guidance. Legal services institutions, he said, must ensure that eligible beneficiaries are able to access the assistance available to them.

The CJI also stressed the importance of following up on applications after the camp so that the benefits announced translate into actual assistance.

Legal aid clinics inaugurated in Ranchi and Palamu

As part of the programme, Justice Surya Kant virtually inaugurated two legal aid clinics established at Bhishma Narayan Singh Law College in Palamu and Sarala Birla University in Ranchi.

The clinics are expected to strengthen access to legal assistance and awareness among students and local communities.

The CJI also highlighted the importance of Project Shishu, a Jharkhand initiative focused on protecting the rights and welfare of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Supreme Court judge Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh appreciated the work being undertaken under the project, particularly in providing legal assistance, protection, education and care to children in need.

Justice Chandrashekhar, another Supreme Court judge present at the programme, appreciated the Mediation for the Nation campaign, the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana and other public welfare initiatives.

Judiciary and administration asked to work together

The Deoghar programme brought together the judiciary, legal services authorities and district administration to improve access to legal rights and government welfare schemes.

Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, executive chairman of JHALSA and a judge of the Jharkhand High Court, said the objective was to connect awareness of legal rights with actual assistance and the delivery of welfare benefits.

He emphasised that the effectiveness of such initiatives would depend on whether beneficiaries received the promised assistance and whether pending applications were addressed through regular administrative reviews.

Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay, a judge of the Jharkhand High Court, delivered the vote of thanks.

The two initiatives in Ranchi and Deoghar underline complementary aspects of judicial reform in Jharkhand. While the new data centre seeks to strengthen the technological and administrative foundations of the courts, the legal services camp focuses on taking justice and welfare assistance closer to citizens.

The larger challenge will be to translate these initiatives into measurable improvements in the delivery of justice, particularly for people who face geographical, economic, linguistic and administrative barriers in accessing the legal system.