India, June 15 -- The 12-year relationship between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the judiciary has been a story of deep tension mixed with quiet cooperation.

While both sides have worked together to modernize courts, their basic disagreement over power has created an uneasy and often difficult relationship.

The relationship has been most successful in modernizing the administrative side of justice. Instead of fighting over laws, the government and the judiciary have cooperated closely on technology.

Under Phases II and III of the e-Courts Project, the government provided the necessary funds to digitize thousands of courtrooms and rural district courts.

This joint effort established virtual courts for minor offe...