The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, announced a new initiative by the Supreme Court to integrate WhatsApp messaging services into its information dissemination processes. This move is aimed at enhancing access to justice and streamlining case management by sending automated updates about case filings, listings, and cause lists directly to advocates’ mobile phones.
The announcement came ahead of a session by a nine-judge bench led by the CJI, which is set to deliberate on whether private properties can be considered “material resources of the community” under Article 39(b) of the Constitution, a directive principle of state policy.
The integration with WhatsApp signifies a push towards digital transformation in the judiciary, which Justice Chandrachud emphasized as a revolutionary step in the court’s 75th year. The initiative is expected to not only increase efficiency but also reduce paper use significantly in the judicial process.
While the Supreme Court’s official WhatsApp number has been made public, it will not receive messages or calls, serving solely as a channel for sending information to registered lawyers.
This development is part of broader efforts under CJI Chandrachud’s leadership to digitize the functioning of the judiciary, supported by a substantial Rs 7,000 crore budget sanctioned by the Centre for the e-court project. The Solicitor General, representing the central government, affirmed its commitment to this digital transition, emphasizing its potential to improve access for both common litigants and legal professionals.