Supreme Court unveils new Lady of Justice statue featuring open eyes, constitution in hand
New Delhi: A new statue of the Lady of Justice has been unveiled at the Supreme Court, featuring open eyes and the Constitution in place of a sword, signaling a shift in symbolism that reflects the evolving spirit of justice in India. Commissioned under the direction of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the statue now stands in the judges’ library, conveying that justice in the country is not blind and does not embody punishment.
Traditionally, the blindfold on the Lady of Justice represented impartiality, suggesting that courts cannot be influenced by wealth, power, or status. The sword symbolized authority and the power to enforce punishment. However, the revised statue, with unshielded eyes and the Constitution held in its left hand, emphasizes that justice in India operates with vision and fairness.
According to sources close to the Chief Justice’s office, the change aligns with Justice Chandrachud’s belief that India must move beyond its colonial legacy. "The law is not blind; it sees everyone equally," said a source, adding that the replacement of the sword with the Constitution signals the message that justice is dispensed in accordance with constitutional principles, not through force.
The scales of justice remain in the statue’s right hand, representing balance and fairness—indicating that courts weigh facts and arguments from all sides before reaching a verdict. The shift mirrors other efforts to shed remnants of colonial rule, such as the recent overhaul of criminal laws, replacing the Indian Penal Code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. “The sword symbolizes violence, but courts deliver justice through constitutional laws,” the source explained, highlighting the intent behind the new design.
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No 'bacterial infection' found in bodies of 4 Mumbai family members who died after eating watermelon
Mumbai (PTI): The initial report submitted by the microbiology department of a Mumbai-based state-run hospital has said no "bacterial infection" was detected in the bodies of four family members, who died after consuming watermelon recently, officials said on Wednesday.
The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road, had hosted a get-together of relatives on the night of April 25. At around 1 am (on April 26), hours after the guests had left, Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen (35), and daughters Ayesha (16) and Zaineb (13) ate pieces of a watermelon.
They suffered severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea in the early hours of April 26 and were rushed to a local hospital before being referred to the government-run J J Hospital where all four died during treatment.
After the incident, Mumbai police, forensic experts and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials visited the house and had collected samples of every food item that constituted the family's last meal, including 'chicken pulav', watermelon, water, and other foodstuffs, and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
After the post-mortem of the deceased, their viscera was preserved for chemical analysis.
As the probe is underway, the microbiology department of the state-run J J Hospital has submitted its initial report to the police.
"As per the report, no bacterial infection has been detected so far in the bodies of the victims. No bacteria was found in their blood," the official said.
The exact cause of the death will be known once the forensic science lab submits its report, he said.
"The report will also clarify whether any food items consumed by the family members during the day contained anything poisonous," the official said.
