In a typical courtroom in coastal Andhra Pradesh, the sound of a typewriter still dominates proceedings. The stenographer types furiously as the judge dictates, pausing often to correct errors or clarify statements. Lawyers wait, witnesses fidget, and the entire system halts until the typing stops. This slow, manual process reflects the state of most Indian courtrooms paper-heavy, outdated, and struggling under the weight of inefficiency. Yet, amid this traditional setup, a quiet technological revolution is emerging powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Judge Shireen Sultana Leads the AI Revolution in India’s Courtrooms
Just a few rooms away, Judge Shireen Sultana demonstrates how AI can transform justice delivery. As she speaks into a microphone, the proceedings instantly appear as text on her screen. With cases moving faster and orders issued in minutes, her courtroom has become the talk of the district. Judge Sultana is now seen as a pioneer, the only woman judge in the region using AI to streamline her work. Her example has inspired others, showing that even small steps toward digital adoption can make a big difference in clearing case backlogs and improving efficiency.
India’s judicial system is currently burdened with over 50 million pending cases, a backlog so massive it could take more than 300 years to resolve at the current pace. The real victims are ordinary citizens whose lives remain suspended in legal uncertainty. To address this, more than 4,000 courts across nine states have begun adopting AI-based tools, though this represents only a fraction of the country’s vast judicial network. Lawyers, clerks, and typists are turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity for research and writing assistance, but one specialized tool “Adalat AI” is setting new benchmarks in courtroom efficiency.
Adalat AI: Pioneering a Digital Revolution in India’s Judiciary
Developed by Supreme Court lawyer Utkarsh Saxena and AI engineer Arghya Bhattacharya, Adalat AI transcribes court proceedings in real time, reducing dependence on stenographers and typists. The idea was born out of frustration with India’s broken, paper-based court systems. Backed by CSR and social impact funding, Saxena and Bhattacharya’s project aims to automate clerical processes, unclog judicial bottlenecks, and bring speed to justice. Their innovation highlights how technology, when paired with legal expertise, can deliver meaningful reform.
Several high courts have already embraced this shift. The Kerala High Court has mandated the use of Adalat AI for recording witness depositions, while Bihar and other states are preparing to follow. According to NG Dinesh, a sitting judge and registrar at the Karnataka High Court, the tool not only transcribes in real time but also saves audio for later review eliminating the need for repeated dictations. Though some older judges remain hesitant, the success of Adalat AI signals the beginning of a digital era for India’s judiciary, one that promises faster, more transparent, and accessible justice for all.
Summary:
India’s outdated, paper-heavy courtrooms are slowly embracing artificial intelligence to speed up justice. Judge Shireen Sultana’s AI-powered courtroom in Andhra Pradesh showcases real-time transcription and faster case disposal. Developed by lawyer Utkarsh Saxena and engineer Arghya Bhattacharya, Adalat AI is transforming courts nationwide, tackling India’s massive 50-million-case backlog efficiently.
