Virtual Justice: India's Metaverse Challenge
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 18
- 1 min read
Kumkum, B.A LL.B (Hons.) Geeta Institute of Law affiliated with Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra [Approved by BCI]
ABSTRACT
The metaverse, a virtual reality space, offers a transformative platform for India’s judiciary through virtual courts where avatars replace physical presence. This essay critically examines whether such courts can deliver justice under India’s legal framework, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. It identifies challenges like jurisdictional ambiguity, evidence authenticity, privacy risks, and ethical dilemmas, using a socio-legal and philosophical lens to ask: Can justice remain human in a digital realm? Drawing on India’s e-Courts project, global practices like Estonia’s blockchain evidence system, smart contracts, and case studies, the essay proposes reforms such as virtual jurisdiction rules, encryption standards, and accessibility measures. It aims to provide a roadmap for India’s judiciary to adopt virtual courts while ensuring fairness, contributing to the discourse on law and technology.