Gangtok: Sikkim has been declared the first state in India to achieve a fully paperless judiciary, marking a major milestone in the country's legal and digital transformation.
The announcement was made by Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, at the inauguration of the Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education Conference held in Gangtok on Friday.
The two-day event is being organised by the High Court of Sikkim, in collaboration with the eCommittee of the Supreme Court of India.
Highlighting the importance of digital transformation in the judiciary, the Chief Justice of India said that digital networks were opening new avenues for access to justice and that the "digital highway" was connecting citizens directly to judicial forums.
He further emphasised that the goal was to build a system where justice no longer required arduous physical travel, and where petitions could move without necessitating the movement of individuals.
Describing the initiative as more than symbolic, he said it underscored that digital reform was a practical necessity for strengthening the rule of law.
Speaking on the broader national context, he stated that the integration of technology in the judicial process was aimed at dismantling geographical constraints, whether arising from difficult terrain, financial limitations, or distance.
This, he added, would ensure that access to justice reaches remote regions, including far-flung areas like North Sikkim, the Western Ghats, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who attended the programme as the Guest of Honour, reaffirmed the state government's support for judicial reforms and digital governance initiatives.
"The judiciary plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights and dignity of citizens, particularly the working class. The integration of technology into the justice delivery system is both timely and essential in the digital era," CM Tamang said.
He also cautioned that technological progress must remain inclusive, stating that no individual should be left behind due to lack of access or digital literacy.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the deliberations of the conclave would contribute significantly towards building a modern, responsive, and citizen centric judicial system.
Describing the declaration of Sikkim as a paperless judiciary as a historic milestone, he congratulated the judiciary for this achievement and noted that it would set an example for the rest of the country.