Patna, Bihar – Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday delivered a compelling message on the role of empathy and social responsibility in the legal profession, highlighting the need to “bend the arc of justice towards the communities that need it the most.” Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna, the CJI reminded young lawyers that technical expertise and professional intensity must always be tempered by human sensibilities, compassion, and moral judgment.

Addressing the graduating batch of law students, Justice Kant said, “Many young lawyers believe that success requires total surrender to work, to guidelines, and to expectations. Intensity, for a while, is inevitable, but it must not become erasure. If the law occupies every corner of your life, you risk losing the very empathy and judgment that justice requires.” He emphasized that empathy in the legal system is the defining characteristic that separates a just society from an unjust one.

“As you leave this university, remember that the law is not just for those who can afford it, but for anyone who is in dire need of it. You carry a solemn duty to use your skills for people’s benefit. The question is not whether you have learnt the law, it is whether you are ready to reshape it, to bend it, also to bend the arc of justice towards the communities that need it the most,” the CJI said.

Justice Kant urged the students to recognize that the legitimacy of the legal system rests on the trust and protection it offers to ordinary citizens. “Whether you choose litigation, public service, academia, judicial service, or any other path, never lose sight of the fact that law draws its legitimacy from the people it protects. When you use your skills to give voice to the unheard, the voiceless, and dignity to those who have been overlooked, you honour not only your own education but also the constitutional promise that underpins it,” he added.

The Chief Justice paid rich tributes to Bihar’s historical and intellectual legacy, noting that the state has long been a cradle of ethical and jurisprudential thought. From the compassion of Buddha to the moral clarity of Mahavira, from Dr Rajendra Prasad’s dedication to Sachchidanand Sinha’s service and Jaiprakash Narayan’s Sampoorna Kranti movement, Bihar has consistently been at the intersection of faith, reason, and fairness in public life. Justice Kant underscored that these historical precedents provide a moral compass for modern legal professionals.

Saturday’s address was preceded by the laying of foundation stones for seven major infrastructure projects at the Patna High Court, which the CJI described as critical for enhancing the court’s capacity to deliver justice effectively. The projects include an Alternative Dispute Redressal (ADR) building, an auditorium, an IT building, an administrative block, a multi-level car parking facility, a hospital, a residential block for ministerial staff, and an annex for the office of the Advocate General.

“The laying of foundation stones for the administrative block, the IT block, and other facilities of the Patna High Court is very crucial. I believe this occasion assumes a deeper resonance in Bihar, which is a land that occupies a distinctive place in India’s civilisational memory,” Justice Kant said. He stressed that strengthening institutional capacity is essential to address the growing volume and complexity of litigation.

“The first dimension of this effort is institutional capacity. A modern administrative block functions much like the nervous system of the court,” he explained, noting that efficient administration underpins timely and fair adjudication. The CJI also highlighted the transformative role of technology in the judiciary, observing that the new IT building will mark a shift from paper-heavy and time-intensive practices to data-informed, digitally-enabled, and user-centric processes.

The ADR building and auditorium, Justice Kant added, will serve as spaces for learning, dialogue, and professional exchange, hosting ADR initiatives and fostering stronger connections between the Bar and the Bench. He also highlighted the inclusion of a hospital facility within the court complex, asserting that “justice is delivered by human beings and not machines.” This facility aims to provide immediate medical support to court personnel and litigants in emergencies.

In addition to infrastructure projects, Justice Kant launched e-ACR Nyaya, a new digital application designed to modernize the filing and processing of Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) for judicial officers. The application is expected to streamline administrative procedures, reduce delays, and enhance transparency in performance evaluation, reflecting the judiciary’s broader push toward digital transformation.

The CJI’s visit and address underscore the intersection of modern infrastructure, digital innovation, and the timeless values of empathy, fairness, and accessibility in India’s legal system. By urging young lawyers to balance professional intensity with compassion and social responsibility, he highlighted the ethical dimension of legal practice that is as important as technical competence.

The convocation ceremony at CNLU and the simultaneous foundation stone-laying for Patna High Court projects exemplify a holistic vision for the judiciary: one that combines capacity-building, technological innovation, and human-centered justice. Through these initiatives, Justice Kant seeks to ensure that the legal system not only adapts to modern demands but also remains rooted in principles of fairness, inclusion, and dignity for all.

In closing, the Chief Justice reiterated the moral and professional responsibilities of legal practitioners. “Remember, the law is not an abstract set of rules—it is a living instrument for protecting people and upholding justice. Your challenge is to use your knowledge not only to serve clients or institutions but also to ensure that justice reaches those who need it most,” he said. His remarks left an enduring message for the graduating students: that legal education is not merely a pathway to professional success but a tool to advance societal equity and human dignity.

Justice Kant concluded his two-day visit to Patna, leaving behind a vision for a judiciary that is technologically modern, institutionally strong, and deeply empathetic—a judiciary capable of bending the arc of justice toward those who have historically been marginalized or overlooked.

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