By Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: Sikkim has achieved a major breakthrough in judicial reforms by becoming the first state in India to operate a completely paperless judiciary, marking an important step towards digital courts in the country.
The announcement was made by Chief Justice Justice Surya Kant during the inauguration of the Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education held in Gangtok on Friday.
The two-day event, organised at Chintan Bhawan and Samman Bhawan, is being hosted by the High Court of Sikkim in collaboration with the Supreme Court e-Committee. It has brought together judges, legal professionals, and international participants to discuss how technology is shaping courts and legal education.
Calling the development a major transformation, Justice Surya Kant said digital systems are helping remove long-standing challenges such as distance and accessibility, especially in hilly regions like Sikkim. He added that virtual platforms are making it easier for people to seek justice without needing to travel.
He also pointed out that India’s judicial system is gradually shifting from traditional paper-based processes to digital systems through initiatives like the e-Courts project, real-time data tools, and AI-based platforms such as SUPACE and SUVAS. These are improving efficiency, transparency, and case handling.
However, he stressed that digital progress must be inclusive. Expanding e-Seva Kendras and ensuring access for people with limited digital knowledge will be important. He also highlighted the need to protect judicial independence and maintain ethical standards while using AI.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who attended as the chief guest, described the achievement as a historic moment and reaffirmed the state’s focus on digital governance and legal reforms.
Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, A. Muhamed Mustaque, said the shift represents not just digitisation but a deeper transformation aimed at improving access to justice at the grassroots level.
The conclave which is held during Sikkim’s golden jubilee year of statehood, is expected to play a key role in shaping a more transparent, efficient, and people-focused judicial system.