Language of Courts I

Posted on by Rudrajyoti Nath Ray

Government of Madhya Pradesh, in excercise of power under Section 272, CrPC, on 28.03.1974, declared Hindi to be language of each Court in State except High Court. There is no such requirement laid down in respect of a Charge Sheet under Section 173, CrPC. With availability of various software and artificial intelligence tools for making translations, providing translations will not be difficult now. Courts can always direct providing translated version of Charge Sheets. In present case, non-supply of translation of Charge Sheet and others documents will not occasion a failure of justice.

– Hon’ble Justice Abhay S. Oka, Central Bureau of Investigation v. Narottam Dhakad, [Criminal Appeal No. 2592 of 2023].

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In Re: Artificial Intelligence

Also see, Hon’ble Justice Bela M. Trivedi, Tarun Kumar v. Directorate of Enforcement, [Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 9431 of 2023] decided on 20.11.2023.

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This is an era of technology, where now artificial intelligence is taking over.

– Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Bindal, Parminder Singh v. Honey Goyal, [Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 4484 of 2020] decided on 18.03.2025.

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It is settled law, more absurd a suggested conclusion of construction is, more Court will lean against it. “I have no doubt, by one route or another, legislation must be construed so as to avoid what would otherwise produce irrational and indefensible results that Parliament could not have intended” [Lord Saville in R v. Governor of HMP Drake Hall, [2010] UKSC 30].

Court is of view, human beings, and not artificial intelligence or computers, are entrusted with duties of administration of justice, as laws are to be interpreted with empathy and pragmatism and as a force of justice, not absurdity.

The danger of mechanical application of law, blind to practical reality, was famously encapsulated by Charles Dickens in ‘Oliver Twist’. Consequently, Courts must balance textual fidelity with interpretive wisdom, ensuring laws are not applied mechanically without considering context or equity.

– Hon’ble Justice Manmohan, P.U. Sidhique v. Zakariya, [Civil Appeal Nos. 13901-13902 of 2025] decided on 21.11.2025.

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'The Last Word' seeks to include not only wise and witty sayings but also curiosities. These words are not of obligation but of delight. I am not alone in my refusal to believe, law is tedious. For all who escaped these percipient eyes, mea culpa maxima. History, after all, has many cunning passages, contrived corridors and issues.