In a major move toward overhauling the nation’s legal landscape, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has announced the formation of the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee. Led by Supreme Court Justice Aravind Kumar, the high-powered panel is tasked with creating a comprehensive blueprint to modernize courts across India and bridge the gap between current facilities and the needs of a digital age.
The initiative aims to address chronic infrastructural deficiencies by creating a “unified ecosystem” for high courts and district courts nationwide. Beyond mere planning, the committee serves a critical fiscal role: its findings will form the basis for the CJI to secure substantial financial allocations from both the Government of India and various state governments.
A Tech-Forward Vision for Justice
The committee’s mandate focuses on seven priority areas designed to transform the experience of litigants and legal professionals. Central to this vision is the “e-courts” initiative, which seeks to eliminate the digital divide within the judiciary.
By implementing cutting-edge technology, the panel hopes to accelerate case disposal rates—a persistent challenge in the Indian legal system. The roadmap also includes the construction of “modern court complexes” specifically designed to meet the functional and technological requirements of the 21st century.
Strategic Leadership and Scope
The committee brings together a diverse group of judicial leaders and administrative experts. In addition to Justice Aravind Kumar, the panel includes:
- Justice Debangsu Basak (Calcutta High Court)
- Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra (Punjab and Haryana High Court)
- Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan (Bombay High Court)
- Director General of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
- Secretary General of the Supreme Court
According to a statement from the Supreme Court’s Secretary General, the panel will identify systemic constraints that currently hinder the judiciary and propose improvements for facilities used by lawyers and the public.
The committee will submit its formal report to Chief Justice Surya Kant. Upon review, the CJI will lead the high-level negotiations with the Union and state governments to ensure the blueprint receives the necessary political and financial backing.
By centralizing the planning process, the Supreme Court aims to move away from piecemeal upgrades in favor of a pan-India standard for judicial excellence.
