Led by SCBA President Kapil Sibal, the committee expressed dissatisfaction over the “unilateral” decisions taken by the Supreme Court administration under Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud.
NEW DELHI: On Wednesday (23rd Oct): The Executive Committee (EC) of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has unanimously passed a resolution objecting to the recent changes made to the Lady Justice statue and the Supreme Court’s emblem without consulting the Bar.
Led by SCBA President Kapil Sibal, the committee expressed dissatisfaction over the “unilateral” decisions taken by the Supreme Court administration under Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud.
“The Executive Committee of the SCBA notes that significant changes, such as the alteration of the emblem and the modification of the Lady Justice statue, have been introduced unilaterally by the Supreme Court. Despite being key stakeholders in the justice system, these decisions were not discussed with us. We remain completely unaware of the reasoning behind these modifications,” the resolution stated on October 22.
The Bar body voiced concern over the lack of consultation and said it was “clueless” about the rationale for the changes.
Traditionally, the blindfold on the Lady of Justice represented equality before the law. It implied that courts are impartial, unable to see wealth, power, or any other indicators of status of those appearing before them. The sword, on the other hand, was a symbol of authority and the ability to punish injustice. However, the new statue, commissioned at the behest of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, challenges these conventional symbols and advocates for a more evolved understanding of justice.
According to sources close to the Chief Justice’s office, Justice Chandrachud is a strong proponent of moving beyond the colonial legacy that has long influenced India’s legal system. This is evident not only in the new statue but also in recent legislative reforms, such as the replacement of colonial-era criminal laws with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
“Therefore, the Chief Justice said that the form of the Lady of Justice should be changed. He said the statue should have the Constitution in one hand and not a sword, so that a message goes out to the country that she dispenses justice according to the Constitution,” a source shared.
READ ALSO: “The Blindfold Has Come Off”: A New Vision of Justice at the Supreme Court
Last month, President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the Supreme Court’s new flag and insignia at the National Conference of District Judiciary in New Delhi. The new flag incorporates symbols reflecting India’s legal and cultural heritage, including the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the Constitution.
It features a blue background, while the insignia includes the phrases “Supreme Court of India” and “Yato Dharmastato Jayah” (in Devanagari script).
Additionally, CJI Chandrachud unveiled a new Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court premises, which replaced the earlier version. The new statue is depicted wearing a saree, without a blindfold, holding scales in one hand and the Indian Constitution in the other.
In its resolution, the SCBA also expressed opposition to the decision to establish a museum in the former Judges’ Library, contrary to the Bar’s request for a library and a café-cum-lounge.
“We had requested the creation of a Library and a Café-cum-Lounge for Bar members, as the current cafeteria is insufficient to meet their needs. Despite our objections to the proposed museum in the space previously occupied by the Judges’ Library, work on the museum has already commenced,” the resolution stated.
The Bar body emphasized its unanimous opposition to the museum being located within the Court’s high-security zone and reiterated its demand for a library and a café-cum-lounge to serve the legal fraternity.
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