Supreme Court 75th Anniversary: PM Announce 800 Crore to expand the Supreme Court's building

On 28th January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant funding allocation of 800 crore rupees for the expansion of the Supreme Cou

Supreme Court 75th Anniversary:  PM Announce 800 Crore to expand the Supreme Court's building

On 28th January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant funding allocation of 800 crore rupees for the expansion of the Supreme Court Building Complex. The announcement was made during the Prime Minister's inaugural address at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court, which marks the 75th anniversary of its establishment. 

In addition to Prime Minister Modi, the event was attended by several notable figures, including Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, other Supreme Court judges, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General Venkatramani, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

In celebration of the Supreme Court's 75th year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several information and technology initiatives aimed at benefiting citizens. These initiatives include the Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new website for the Supreme Court. These projects are designed to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the Supreme Court, making it easier for citizens to engage with the judiciary and access legal information.

In a moment of light-heartedness, after making the announcement, PM Modi joked, "Now one just hopes that no one comes and files a petition stating that it (SC expansion) is an extravagant expenditure."

Further, Prime Minister mentioned that since 2014, more than 7,000 crore rupees have already been allocated and distributed for this purpose. This demonstrates the government's ongoing efforts to modernize and improve the facilities of the judiciary across the country.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal spoke about the government's dedication to improving the justice system through collaboration with the judiciary. Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, other Supreme Court judges, and legal experts were present. CJI Chandrachud stressed the importance of having an independent judiciary and institutional protections.

'Viksit' Bharat 2047

The Prime Minister emphasized the significant part the judiciary has in realizing India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of independence, a goal referred to as 'Viksit Bharat @2047'. He pointed out that the Jan Vishwas Bill is a key outcome of the government's efforts to establish a dependable legal framework.

Passed by the parliament in the 2023 monsoon session, the Jan Vishwas Bill seeks to decriminalize 183 provisions across 42 various laws. The bill aims to change many offenses that currently carry a potential prison sentence to ones that would instead incur only a monetary fine. This shift is part of the broader effort to streamline the legal system and reduce the burden on the judiciary.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the creators of India's constitution envisioned a free nation grounded in freedom, equality, and justice, and that the Supreme Court has consistently worked to uphold these values. Modi highlighted the court's role in reinforcing India's democracy, particularly in matters of freedom of expression, personal liberty, and social justice.

He also noted the Supreme Court's landmark decisions on individual rights and freedom of speech, which have significantly influenced the country's socio-political landscape.

Digitization of Supreme Court

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the Supreme Court plays a central role in the entire justice system in India. He emphasized that one of the government's main objectives is to make justice accessible even in the most remote areas of the country. To support this goal, the third phase of the E-Courts Mission Project has been launched, with funding that is four times greater than that allocated for the second phase.

The E-courts project, which started in 2005, was designed to modernize the Indian judicial system by incorporating information and communication technology. This initiative aims to digitize every aspect of the legal process, from the initiation of cases to the delivery of judgments, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the judicial system.

The event also highlighted the use of technology, with Modi's speech being translated into English in real-time using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Modi sees potential for using similar technology in courts to make things simpler for the general public.

At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government has approved 800 crore rupees to expand the Supreme Court's building. He stressed the importance of blending Indian values with modern aspects in the legal system and suggested that court judgments and orders should be written in simple language to make them easier to understand. 

New laws for the New era of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that the introduction of three new criminal justice laws is a significant step forward for India's legal, police, and investigative systems. He emphasized the need to smoothly update from very old laws to new ones, mentioning the importance of training and improving skills for government staff. 

Modi highlighted the government's efforts to move away from colonial-era criminal laws by introducing three new criminal statutes. He remarked, "Through these changes, our legal, policing, and investigative systems have entered a new era." This signifies a major shift in the legal framework, aiming to modernize and improve the efficiency of these systems.

Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of Indian laws reflecting both traditional Indian values and modern principles, stating, "The convergence of Indian values and modernity is equally essential in our legal statutes.” He also noted that the government is actively updating laws to be in line with current circumstances and best practices.

Emphasizing the need for a smooth transition from outdated laws to new legislation, Modi remarked, "The transition from old laws to new ones should be seamless, which is imperative." He acknowledged the challenges of this shift and the importance of managing it effectively.

Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned that training and capacity-building programs for government officials are already in progress to facilitate the transition to the new criminal law system. This underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that the legal and administrative workforce is well-prepared to implement and work within the updated legal framework.