The Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Thursday interacted with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) lawyer at the inauguration ceremony of the National Judicial Museum and Archive (NJMA) at the Supreme Court.

 

The Chief Justice who inaugurated the museum in presence of other judges asked the AI Lawyer: "Is the death penalty constitutional in India?"

 




The AI Lawyer replied, Yes the death penalty is constitutional in India. "Yes, the death penalty is constitutional in India. It is reserved for the rarest of rare cases as determined by the Supreme Court where the crime is exceptionally heinous and warrants such a punishment," the AI Lawyer answered as the Chief Justice looked in awe. The Chief Justice designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna was also present along with other judge of the Supreme Court at the inauguration ceremony.

 




The outgoing CJI, who is set to retire on November 10, while speaking at the inauguration event said that he would want the museum to become an interactive space for the younger generation.


He expressed hope that younger children from schools and colleges, citizens who are not necessarily lawyers and judges would visit the museum and breathe the air they breathe every day in the Court.


CJI Chandrachud further requested all the members of the Bar to come and see the museum.


It may be noted that the the museum has been a bone of contention between the Bar and the Bench. Just a day before the inauguration, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Executive Body in a majority resolution boycotted the event. They demanded that the place where the National Judicial Museum has come up should have been used to make a Library and Cafe/lounge for lawyers of the Supreme Court.