New Lady of Justice Statue at Supreme Court: Eyes Open, Sword Replaced by Constitution
New Delhi: A new Lady of Justice statue was unveiled in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, symbolising a significant departure from colonial representations of law and justice.
The statue, located in the judges’ library and commissioned under the directive of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, features open eyes and holds the Constitution in place of the traditional sword, signalling that the law in India is not blind, nor does it represent punishment.
Historically, the blindfold on Lady Justice symbolised impartiality, ensuring that wealth or status held no sway in legal decisions, while the sword represented authority and the power to punish. In contrast, the new statue reflects a progressive vision of justice rooted in constitutional values. The open eyes signify that justice sees all equally, while the Constitution emphasises that justice is dispensed according to the nation’s laws, not through violence.
According to reports, this change is part of a broader effort to move away from colonial-era symbols, as was recently done by replacing the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Chief Justice Chandrachud believes the law must evolve, leaving behind remnants of British rule. The scales of justice, representing balance and fairness, remain intact, highlighting that courts continue to weigh facts and arguments from all sides before delivering a verdict.
