CJI Surya Kant launches India’s first fully paperless district judiciary in Wayanad

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday virtually launched the rollout of paperless courts in the Kalpetta judicial district of Wayanad, during a ceremony held at the Kerala High Court Auditorium.

This is the first time that an entire district-level judiciary has transitioned to a fully digital, end-to-end system. All case filings will now be submitted online, reviewed electronically, and shared instantly with courts through the High Court-developed District Court Case Management System (DCMS).

Opening his address, the Chief Justice described the shift as transformative. “When thinking about law and justice, people often imagine traditional structures and large volumes of paperwork. But inaugurating the digital courts in Wayanad reflects a significant constitutional shift — recognising that courts are not just places, but essential public services." The judiciary is letting go of excessive paperwork and embracing transparent, technology-neutral processes, he said. By digitising court work, the judiciary is advancing what he termed "green jurisprudence", he added.

Justice Kant went on to explain that the paperless format will narrow physical distances and bring citizens closer to the justice system.

He observed that justice should not require sacrificing environmental resources, and stressed that this reform promotes equality. In paper-based courts, he noted, access often depended on proximity to records or the speed of filing. Now, with the Kerala High Court’s in-house DCMS platform, physical filing is eliminated, and all participants can access real-time electronic records. Whether litigants are in central Kalpetta or remote areas, the digital case file remains equally accessible, secure, and reliable. The transition, he clarified, is not merely replacing files with PDFs, but creating streamlined procedures and digital accountability.

He encouraged lawyers — particularly senior members of the bar — to adapt to the new system.

Addressing concerns about tradition, he said tradition means preserving core values, not outdated practices. The reform does not change the practice of law, he emphasised, but improves the tools used to uphold it. Technology, he added, is meant to support human judgment, not replace it.

The Chief Justice also praised the Kerala High Court and Kalpetta courts for leading the way.

He said Wayanad now stands as an example for the Indian judiciary, proving that timeless principles of justice can be delivered with modern technology. He expressed hope that this development will promote faster, clearer and more accessible justice nationwide. After his speech, he unveiled a digital plaque and formally launched the paperless court system.

Justice Vikram Nath, Chairperson of the Supreme Court eCommittee, delivered the keynote address virtually.

He said the initiative represents the outcome of a deliberate, purposeful journey focused on strengthening justice delivery. According to him, every judicial reform must ultimately answer whether it brings justice closer to citizens. Wayanad’s achievement shows that innovation is not limited to major cities; technology, when used wisely, connects people and courts.

Justice Nath also observed that courts have historically consumed vast amounts of paper, and that the move significantly reduces the ecological impact. 

Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar delivered the presidential address. He explained that paperless courts will enhance transparency, reduce administrative delays and costs, and improve record-keeping and courtroom efficiency. Technology in courts, he said, should always benefit litigants — and this initiative provides both speed and convenience, creating a more modern, citizen-friendly justice system.

Dr Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar delivered the special address. He explained that the AI supporting the Kalpetta system uses trustworthy data from DCMS, overcoming common limitations where AI tools lack reliable datasets. He also highlighted that the initiative demonstrates the success of internally developed systems, without relying on proprietary platforms.

Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V opened the event by explaining the meaning of truly paperless processes — from a case’s initiation onward. He noted that the traditional workflow remains intact, only enhanced through technology, and credited the cooperation of judges, lawyers, clerical staff, and technical teams.

Justice Anil K Narendran delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks. He described the project as a decisive step toward efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused justice aligned with India’s future judicial vision. He also noted upcoming projects — including an online mediation platform and a system for monitoring High Court Legal Services Committee activities.

Several dignitaries, including Justice Murali Purushothaman, Principal District Judge Ayyoobkhan E, and representatives from bar associations and legal bodies, joined the event. Minister P Rajeev, Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup, Bar Council Secretary Rajkumar KR, and KHCAA President Peeyus A Kottam also addressed the gathering.
(with Live Law inputs)