Law is not blind: No blindfold for Supreme Court's new Lady Justice statue, that now holds Constitution in place of sword

In a symbolic shift, a new statue of the Lady of Justice has been unveiled at the Supreme Court, featuring significant changes to its traditional form. The blindfold, which typically symbolises impartiality, has been removed, and the Indian Constitution has replaced the sword in the statue’s left hand. Additionally, the Lady of Justice now dons a saree, replacing the traditional Western robe, reflecting a shift toward Indian cultural identity. This move is seen as part of an effort to modernise the justice system in India and depart from colonial legacies.

Commissioned at the direction of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the statue, located in the Supreme Court's Judges' Library, aims to convey that justice in India is not blind but sees everyone equally, while the new attire underscores a deeper connection to Indian tradition.

The changes align with broader efforts to replace colonial-era laws like the Indian Penal Code with more contemporary legal frameworks such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

While the blindfold has been removed to signify the court's open and equal vision for all citizens, the scales of justice in the statue’s right hand have been retained, symbolising the balance courts maintain when weighing the arguments of both sides.

This move is being interpreted as part of the Chief Justice’s vision to modernise the judiciary, leaving behind symbols of the British colonial era in favor of an Indian identity rooted in constitutional values.

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