“Justice sees everyone equally”: Supreme Court unveils new 'Lady Justice' statue symbolising modern Indian legal ideals

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Lady Justice' statue, long associated with courts and legal institutions, has been redesigned by the Supreme Court of India as part of an effort to move away from its colonial legacy. Traditionally depicted with a blindfold and a sword, the statue’s updated version removes the blindfold and replaces the sword with the Constitution, signaling a new era for Indian justice.

Symbolic Change: Blindfold Removed

The statue of 'Lady Justice,' previously blindfolded to symbolize impartiality, has now had the blindfold removed in the Supreme Court’s updated version. The move was led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who emphasized that «the law is not blind; it sees everyone equally.»
According to NDTV sources, this change reflects the Indian judiciary’s evolving identity, one that no longer relies on colonial symbols to represent justice. The new statue, installed in the judges' library, stands as a symbol of the judiciary’s commitment to this modern perspective.

The blindfold, traditionally meant to represent equality before the law and the idea that courts should be blind to wealth, power, or status, has been removed to align with a more contemporary interpretation of justice. CJI Chandrachud has made it clear that «justice sees everyone equally,» signaling that the judiciary's role is not just about punishing but about upholding constitutional values that promote fairness and equality.

Constitution in Place of Sword

One of the most striking changes in the new statue is the replacement of the sword with the