CJI Surya Kant meets Bhutan king, offers support for judicial digitalisation

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant met Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu on Thursday and offered India’s support to assist Bhutan in modernising its judiciary through digitisation and technological collaboration.

According to the Supreme Court of India, Justice Kant discussed ways to strengthen bilateral judicial cooperation and offered technical assistance in developing best practices for digitalising Bhutan’s court processes. Earlier, he also met Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to discuss legal education, cybercrime, technological challenges, and broader India–Bhutan ties.

A key focus of the discussions was emerging cyber threats and digital fraud . Both sides acknowledged that rapid technological advancements have enabled transnational criminal activities targeting vulnerable populations. They emphasised that judicial systems must evolve to interpret existing laws effectively, with cross-border cooperation and technological capacity building as key priorities.

Justice Kant highlighted India’s judicial digitalisation as a model for Bhutan. Under the e‑Courts Mission Mode Project , India has equipped thousands of district and subordinate courts with digital infrastructure, including e‑filing systems , digital case management, and online access for litigants and lawyers. The third phase aims to create paperless courts , integrate AI tools for procedural assistance , and link courts nationwide via a unified digital platform. These reforms have improved transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in India’s justice system, offering valuable lessons for Bhutan’s ongoing judicial modernisation.

During the visit, CJI Kant also o ffered internship opportunities for Bhutanese law students to gain practical exposure to court proceedings, legal drafting, and advocacy.

The meetings reaffirmed the deep cultural, spiritual, and intellectual ties between India and Bhutan and underscored a shared commitment to strengthening judicial cooperation, advancing technological modernisation, and addressing emerging challenges in the digital era.