Rise of crypto-currency and cyber threats pose new challenges: PM Modi

Satya Prakash

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New Delhi, February 3

Highlighting the new challenges posed by the rise of crypto-currency and cyber threats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the 21st-century challenges cannot be fought with a 20th-century approach and emphasized the need for expanding cooperation between nations for investigation and justice delivery.

Inaugurating the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) — Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC) 2024 here, the PM said, “There is a need to rethink, re-imagine and reform.”

He pointed out that in recent times, the nature and scope of crime have seen a radical change and criminals have wide networks across various countries and regions.

Noting that criminals used the latest technology for both funding and operations and economic crimes in one region were being used to fund activities in other regions, the Prime Minister called for modernizing legal systems to make it more flexible and adaptable.

Talking about the theme of the conference, i.e., ‘Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery’, Modi said, “In a highly connected, rapidly changing world, this is a very relevant topic. Sometimes, ensuring justice in one country requires working with other countries. When we collaborate, we can understand each other’s systems better. Greater understanding brings greater synergy. Synergy boosts better and faster justice delivery. Therefore, such platforms and conferences are important.”

Pointing out that “our systems already work with each other in many domains” such as air traffic control and maritime traffic, the PM said, “Similarly, we need to expand cooperation to investigation and justice delivery. Cooperation can happen even while respecting each other’s jurisdiction. When we work together, jurisdiction becomes a tool to deliver justice, not delay it.”

He said, “Legal education is a key instrument in boosting justice delivery. Education is where both passion and professional competence are introduced to young minds. Worldwide, there is a discussion on how to bring more women into every domain. The first step to do so is to make each domain inclusive at the educational level. When the number of women in law schools increases, the number of women in the legal profession will also increase. Participants in this conference can exchange ideas on how more women can be brought into legal education.”

Describing legal education as a key instrument in boosting justice delivery, he said, India was also modernizing laws to reflect the present day realities.

India has used technology as a tool to reduce litigations which eases burden on the justice delivery system, Modi said.

The Conference was attended by CJI DY Chandrachud, judges of the Supreme Court and high courts and law officers, besides others.