In a powerful address reflecting on recent changes to the iconic Lady Justice statue at the Supreme Court, former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph shared deep insights into the symbols of judicial impartiality and integrity. Justice Joseph emphasized the significance of Lady Justice's blindfold, a reminder that justice should be administered without bias, treating all parties equally and impartially.
According to Justice Joseph, the blindfold signifies that "justice should be dispensed equally and impartially, irrespective of who is standing in the courtroom". He explained, "It doesn't matter who appears before you. It doesn't matter who is the person before you. Therefore, that was the reason why the deity of justice had the blindfold." His remarks came as he accepted the Prof. Dr. NR Madhava Menon Memorial Award "Tribute of Honour" presented by the Bar Council of Kerala.
Justice Joseph highlighted the importance of preserving institutional traditions over individual preferences when representing symbols like the blindfold, underscoring their role in upholding judicial integrity.
The changes to the statue didn’t end with the blindfold; the sword was replaced with a copy of the Indian Constitution. Justice Joseph supported this alteration, viewing the Constitution as a powerful dual symbol—both a protector of rights and a deterrent against violations.
During his address, Justice Joseph went beyond symbolism to speak on real challenges facing the judiciary, including issues in judicial appointments. Reflecting on his own role in striking down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) in 2015, he acknowledged the limitations of the current collegium system and called for a restructured judicial appointments commission. This new model would include the Chief Justice, two senior-most judges, the Law Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition, aiming for greater transparency and independence in judicial appointments.
Justice Joseph also discussed the "master of the roster" system, suggesting reforms where a group of senior judges oversees case allocations to mitigate potential biases and ensure fairness.
He further delved into the operational stresses facing the judiciary, advocating for synchronized calendars across the High Courts and lower courts. This, he noted, would help manage caseloads and reduce judicial stress. Justice Joseph took a moment to commend the lower court judges who, under immense pressure, make significant contributions to justice yet often receive limited recognition.
In his closing remarks, Justice Joseph underscored the need to address these systemic issues, urging for reforms that would restore public confidence and ensure a robust and independent judiciary.
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