Aarohi Girish Dhumale
On 16th October, 2024, a new statue of Lady Justice was unveiled at the Supreme Court, marking a progressive transition towards a new era of justice.
The new statue in the Supreme Court judges’ library was commissioned at the direction of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
The blindfold has been removed, and the sword in the left hand of Lady Justice has been replaced by the Constitution of India. The blindfold symbolised equality before the law, implying that courts must disregard the wealth, power, or other status indicators of individuals who come before them. Meanwhile, the sword represented authority and the capacity to punish injustice.
The open eyes in the new statue emphasize that the law is not blind, and it sees everyone equally, whereas the Constitution, which has replaced the sword, signifies that justice will be done through constitutional means, not through violence.
The scales of justice in the right hand of Lady Justice have been retained because they are the symbol of the balance in society and the principle that courts consider the facts and arguments from both sides before reaching a decision.
The new statue of Lady Justice is also seen wearing saree, an Indian attire.
After repealing the three criminal laws and bringing new laws into force, this is another step to leave colonialism behind.