REIMAGINING JUSTICE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF LADY JUSTICE IN THE INDIAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The white colour of the new Lady Justice statue is also significant, representing purity, impartiality, and fairness.

- NEHA SHARMA & DR. PYALI CHATTERJEE

“Kanoon k haath bahut lambey hote hain lekin kanoon andha hai...” This iconic dialogue from the Bollywood film Andha Kanoon translates to “the hands of law are long, but the law is blind.” The phrase encapsulates the complex relationship between justice and the legal system, emphasizing that while the law has extensive reach, it can sometimes fail to see the nuances of individual cases.

This sentiment resonates deeply with the visual representation of justice in India: the blindfolded statue of the Goddess of Justice, also known as Lady Justice. This statue stands as a powerful symbol of justice, fairness, and equality under the law.

Typically depicted as a blindfolded woman holding a balance scale in one hand and a sword in the other, Lady Justice embodies the ideal of impartiality in the application of justice. The blindfold signifies that justice should be administered without bias toward wealth, power, or social status. The balance scale represents fairness, where both sides of a dispute are weighed equally before arriving at a verdict. Meanwhile, the sword symbolizes the authority of the law to enforce penalties for wrongdoing.

Lady Justice’s historical roots in India can be traced back to the colonial era, when British legal practices heavily influenced the Indian judicial framework. Statues of Lady Justice were erected in courthouses across the country, serving as a reminder of the rule of law and the fundamental principles of justice. The symbolism of Lady Justice has thus evolved alongside India’s own journey toward establishing a fair and equitable legal system.