Kerala High Court judge Justice PB Suresh Kumar on Friday called for a legislation to regulate social media, highlighting the impact of rogue posts on the justice delivery system. .Justice Kumar, who is slated to demit office next week, said that judges across the world have raised the alarm on the impact of indiscriminate social media posts on judges and judgments."These social media posts are often made without even a basic understanding of the law or even the facts, and are often rooted on assumptions. Unfortunately such remarks have the effect of undermining public confidence and tarnishing the image of this institution. While many may post without malicious intent, the consequences are grave. In an era where public opinion is shaped in real time and internet preserves content without context, such comments erode trust in the judiciary and faith in the rule of law," he said.The judge opined that the time is nigh for legislative intervention but it must strike a balance between the right to free speech and the mandate to uphold judicial independence. The aim should not be to stomp on valid criticism but to curb unwarranted attacks. "In this context, I believe the time is ripe for thoughtful legislative intervention - one that carefully balances fundamental right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India with the constitutional mandate to uphold the independence of the judiciary enshrined in Article 50. I suggest it with humility and concern, not to silence genuine criticism but to ensure that critique does not degenerate into unwarranted vilification, that freedom of speech does not become freedom to mislead and that the majesty of the institution remains in tact," Justice Kumar said. .In an era where public opinion is shaped in real time and internet preserves content without context, such social media comments erode trust in the judiciary and faith in the rule of law.Justice PB Suresh Kumar.Known to be a tech-friendly judge, Justice Kumar also highlighted the positive impact that technological advancements have had on the justice dispensation system.From screensharing on GoogleMeet, to auto transcription and digitisation of case records, Justice Kumar vouched for the potential of technology to strengthen public faith in the judiciary. "The tools now at our disposal hold immense potential to democratise access to justice making it more inclusive, transparent and efficient. Tools like Google meet with seamless screensharing have greatly enhanced efficiency particularly in handling reserved judgments allowing me to make better use of time which otherwise would be spent on traditional dictation and correction. By ensuring digitisation of trial court records, I was able to manage voluminous files with greater ease," he said. However, Justice Kumar also called for exercising caution as the future calls for a delicate balance between using advancements in artificial intelligence and ensuring humanity in decision making. "We must work towards an ecosystem where technology enhances efficiency without diminishing the human touch; where artificial intelligence exists but does not supplant human judgment," he said. .The judge made these remarks in his address at the farewell reference organised in his honour as he retires from service on Monday.Justice Kumar completed his education in schools and colleges in Kollamand later, the KGF Law College in Karnataka. After enrolling as an advocate in 1987, he began his practice before district courts in Kerala. He later started practicing before the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court. In 2011, Justice Kumar was designated a Senior Advocate. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Kerala High Court in 2014 and made permanent two years later. .In his farewell address, Justice Kumar reflected on one particular case that had a lasting impact on him, the case of 5-month-old Imran Mohammed who had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare disease. The only drug that can treat it costs upwards of ₹16 crores.Imran's father had moved the Court in 2021 seeking directions to the government to provide the necessary treatment for the infant. Members of the public came together and raised a huge sum but tragically, Imran passed away before the drug could save him. Justice Kumar, who was handling the case at the time, directed that the money be used for the treatment of other children with the same disease. "The direction issued to the government with the consent of all parties to treat the funds raised by the public as a separate corpus for the treatment of other children with the same disease has benefitted more than 50 children below the age of 12. These children have been receiving free treatment since 2022 which they otherwise could not afford. Though Imran left us too soon, his case became a bridge of hope for others. What I have realised from this case is that justice is not merely a verdict, it is a legacy that endures through the lives it touches," Justice Kumar explained. .Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar, in his address, lauded Justice Kumar's work ethic, sound judgments and legal acumen. .Both Kerala Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup and President of the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association Yeshwanth Shenoy, in their respective addresses, highlighted the kinship that Justice Kumar continued to enjoy with the Bar long after he was elevated to the Bench.They also expressed their hope that Justice Kumar would return to practice.Justice Kumar signed off by saying, "I look forward to finding new and meaningful ways to continue serving society.".[Read live coverage of the event]
