First fully paperless district court in India inaugurated by CJI in Wayanad

Kochi: Supreme Court Chief Justice, Surya Kant, on Tuesday inaugurated a fully paperless system in the Kalpetta judicial district in Wayanad through an online event held at the Kerala High Court. He described the digitisation of court as a crucial step towards democratising the justice delivery system.

“We are ensuring that the law is not a static relic, but a living, breathing institution with equitable reach for every citizen,” the Chief Justice said. Congratulating the Kerala High Court and the Kalpetta district court, he added that the initiative reflected a deep sense of responsibility and optimism for the future.

Under the new system, the entire judicial process—from filing cases to issuing orders—will be conducted without paper. This marks the first time in the country that such a comprehensive paperless framework has been implemented in a judicial district.

Highlighting its broader impact, the Chief Justice noted that the shift goes beyond environmental benefits. He said it also promotes equality, pointing out that in a paper-based system, access often depended on proximity to record rooms or the speed at which documents could be retrieved. The digital platform, he added, introduces a level of “algorithmic accountability previously unimaginable,” as every action leaves a permanent digital trail.

The event was presided over by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar. “The Kalpetta paperless court demonstrates how technology, when used meaningfully, can make justice more accessible, efficient and user-friendly,” Justice Jamdar said.

Several dignitaries addressed the gathering, including Supreme Court e-Committee Chairman Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V, Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar, Justice Anil K. Narendran, Law Minister P. Rajeev, Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup, High Court Advocates Association President Piyush A. Kottam, and Kerala Bar Council Secretary K. R. Rajkumar.

Justice Vikram Nath, in his keynpote address, noted that paper has long been central to the judiciary as the custodian of legal memory. “The transition we witness today is not a rejection of that legacy,” he said. “It is an acceptance of a simple reality: institutions must evolve if they are to remain effective.”

Justice Anil K Narendran also announced that two more digital initiatives are in the pipeline—a seamless online mediation platform and a system to monitor the activities of the High Court Legal Services Committee. He said both projects are expected to be implemented in the near future.