Supreme Court of India Unveils New Lady Justice Statue

The Supreme Court of India has unveiled a new statue of Lady Justice that departs from traditional representations by shedding its blindfold and replacing the sword with the Constitution. This change symbolizes the perspective that the law is neither blind nor punitive. The statue’s commissioning followed the directives of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, as per a report by NDTV.

Traditionally, Lady Justice is portrayed as a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword. The blindfold has historically signified impartiality, implying that justice is dispensed without bias towards wealth, power, or status. The scales indicate fairness and balance, while the sword represents the authority of the law. However, the newly unveiled statue seeks to move away from these colonial-era symbols. It stands prominently in the judges’ library of the Supreme Court.

According to insights quoted by NDTV from sources close to the Chief Justice, there is a belief that the law is not blind, and justice is equal for all. “The Chief Justice believes the form of Lady Justice should evolve. He emphasized that she should hold the Constitution in place of the sword to convey that justice is administered according to constitutional principles,” a source mentioned. Furthermore, the sword, seen as a symbol of violence, is substituted as courts aim to deliver justice through constitutional laws. Nevertheless, the scales are maintained to highlight the judicial process’s commitment to weighing arguments fairly before reaching a verdict.