Digital Justice or Digital Divide? The Role of Technology in Bail Reform and Access to Justice for Undertrial Prisoners in India

Paper Code: AIJACLAV12RP2026

Category: Research Paper

Date of Publication: Sep 10, 2026

Author Details

Ms. Disha S Patil, Mr. Prashik Rangari, 6th Sem BALLB, Christ Academy Institute of Law, Bengaluru

Digital Justice or Digital Divide? The Role of Technology in Bail Reform and Access to Justice for Undertrial Prisoners in India

Abstract

The criminal justice system in India currently experiences an extreme undertrial crisis, resulting in extended pretrial detention that violates the constitutional presumption of innocence and the right to personal freedom established under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. A substantial proportion of accused persons remain incarcerated while awaiting trial due to judicial backlogs, procedural delays, and socio-economic barriers that prevent them from fulfilling bail conditions. The situation creates major problems that affect people's ability to obtain justice and the fairness of criminal processes and their essential rights.