Through an official letter dated December 2, 2024, addressed to Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice of India, SCAORA expressed apprehension about how these changes may affect the institution’s functional utility and alignment with its historical ethos.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has formally addressed concerns regarding two recent architectural modifications in the Supreme Court premises.
Through an official letter dated December 2, 2024, addressed to Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice of India, SCAORA expressed apprehension about how these changes may affect the institution’s functional utility and alignment with its historical ethos.
The first issue raised pertains to the installation of glass partitions in the Supreme Court’s front corridors. While modernization and climate adaptation seem to be the primary reasons behind this initiative, the association argues that the stakeholders, particularly members of the bar, were not consulted during the decision-making process.
In the letter, the association pointed out:
“We understand that these partitions might be a part of an effort to modernize the building’s layout, and to make the Corridors centrally Air-Conditioned considering the climate change; however, none of the stakeholders or the representatives of the bar were consulted to bring about the said change.”
The lack of consultation with key stakeholders raises questions about inclusivity in decision-making and whether the decision aligns with the professional and cultural practices of the Supreme Court.
SCAORA also voiced concerns regarding the relocation of the National Judicial Museum and Archive, a repository of significant legal and historical artifacts.
According to the letter, the museum’s placement plays a crucial role in preserving the institution’s heritage. A decision to shift it without prior discussions may dilute its accessibility and historical prominence.
The letter highlights that such changes not only disrupt historical significance but may also contradict the envisioned functional and cultural coherence of the Supreme Court premises.
In its concluding appeal, the association emphasized the importance of preserving the Supreme Court’s historical ethos and ensuring functional adequacy while introducing infrastructural changes. The letter urges the authorities to take stakeholders’ inputs into consideration before implementing such modifications in the future.
This correspondence reflects the delicate balance between modernization and tradition that institutions like the Supreme Court must navigate. While adaptive measures such as air conditioning and improved layouts are commendable, they must not come at the cost of sidelining the voices of the legal community or compromising on historical heritage.
The concerns raised by SCAORA underscore the importance of participatory decision-making in institutions of national importance. As India progresses, its judicial institutions must strive to balance modernization with their cultural and historical essence.
The appeal for reviewing the glass partitions and reconsidering the relocation of the National Judicial Museum presents an opportunity for introspection and collaborative dialogue.
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