Context: Recently, the Lady Justice statue was unveiled at the Supreme Court, on the directions of the Chief Justice of India. The statue was without the blindfold, and with the Constitution held in place of the sword, signifying that the law in India is both informed and not driven by retribution.

Lady Justice in India

• British Influence: The image of Lady Justice came to India with the British legal system during colonial rule. It became a common feature in courthouses across the country.

• Notably, at the Calcutta High Court, constructed in 1872, Lady Justice appears in carvings, sometimes blindfolded, sometimes not. Similarly, the Bombay High Court also features a statue of Lady Justice without a blindfold.

• Modern Depiction in India: In 2024, the Supreme Court of India unveiled a new statue of Lady Justice. This six-foot-tall statue differs from the classical depiction.

• The statue was created by artist Vinod Goswami, shows Lady Justice in a saree, without a blindfold, holding scales in one hand and a copy of the Constitution of India in the other, instead of a sword.

Significance of the New Depiction

• The absence of the blindfold symbolizes that “law is not blind” and sees everyone equally. This new representation aligns with recent legal reforms and efforts to “decolonize” India’s legal framework.

• The new Lady Justice is without a blindfold, which highlights that the judicial system sees and considers the circumstances of each case. This is a shift from the old idea of "justice is blind" to a new one: justice should be aware and sensitive to each situation.

• Saree Attire: The statue wears a saree, representing Indian culture, instead of Western attire.

• Open Eyes: The absence of the blindfold represents a commitment to transparency and a justice system that is conscious of and responsive to the diverse social contexts and realities in India. It signifies that justice is aware and considers all perspectives fairly.

• Constitution Instead of Sword: The statue holds the Indian Constitution instead of a sword, emphasizing the importance of democratic principles and human rights over punitive measures.

• Retained Scales: The scales remain, symbolizing balance and impartiality in weighing evidence and arguments.

Origins of Lady Justice

• Greek Mythology: The concept of Lady Justice traces back to ancient Greek mythology. Themis, one of the 12 Titans born to Gaea and Uranus, was the goddess of justice, wisdom, and good counsel. She is often depicted holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other, symbolizing fairness and enforcement of justice.

• Roman Influence: In Roman mythology, the first emperor Augustus introduced Justitia, the goddess of justice. Like Themis, Justitia held scales and a sword, but she did not wear a blindfold.

• Origins of the Blindfold: The earliest depiction of a blindfolded Lady Justice comes from a 1494 woodcut titled “The Fool Blindfolding Justice,” part of Ship of Fools, a satirical collection by German lawyer Sebastian Brant. This image was not meant to celebrate impartiality but was a critique, symbolizing injustice. It was attributed to German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.

• Change in Meaning: By the 17th century, the blindfold lost its satirical meaning and came to represent the impartiality of justice, signifying that justice should be delivered without prejudice or favoritism.