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The Supreme Court of India has expressed a serious concern about the increasing use of technology in the judiciary and its possible results. The court has clearly stated that if technology is made the ‘chief driver’ in the judicial process, this can completely eliminate the trust of the general public in the judiciary.
A bench of the Supreme Court, which was led by the then Chief Justice (CJI) NV Ramna, emphasized that DNA, fingerprint etc. technical reports can only be ‘helpful’ in evaluating the evidence. They can never take a place of human intelligence, discretion and personal decision.
The court is of the opinion that if justice is given only on the basis of technical reports in a ‘machine’ or ‘mechanical’ manner, then the basic basis of justice will be shaken. The judges expressed concern that such decisions could make people a notion that judicial decisions are being given in ‘yes’ or ‘no’ like a computer output, while the judiciary is based on human evaluation, intelligence and discretion.
The bench clarified that judges and magistrates have to personally assess various evidences and circumstances. Complete dependent on a technical report can be fatal to the concept of justice. The human aspect and human conscience is the most important part of the justice distribution system. This is the same element that keeps citizens trust in the courts.
The court admitted that technology can bring efficiency in the justice system and accelerate processes, but should never become a ‘owner’ of judicial process decision. Judicial decisions should always be the result of human idea and cognizance.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s message is clear: technology is an important tool, which can strengthen the judicial system, but it can never be an alternative to human decisions and discretion. The future of the judiciary lies in this balance.