Supreme Court corridors restored after removal of glass panels; original emblem reappears under CJI BR Gavai.
Why in NewsSupreme Court Returns To Original Avatar Look after CJI BR Gavai orders removal of glass panels.The Supreme Court of India under its new leadership, has rolled back key changes made during its 75th anniversary celebrations . These include both physical and symbolic alterations that had sparked controversy among stakeholders. |
Overview
Under Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, the Supreme Court has undertaken a course correction to bring the Court back to its traditional form or “original avatar .” This includes removing the controversial glass corridor panels introduced under former CJI DY Chandrachud and restoring the Court’s original logo on its official website . The decision aligns with persistent demands from SCAORA and SCBA, who raised concerns about functionality, accessibility and lack of stakeholder consultation .
Key Aspects
To better understand the transformation, it is important to highlight the major concerns and changes that prompted this action :
- Glass panels in corridors were installed for centralised AC but reduced space and air circulation .
- Lawyers, interns and litigants faced crowding and movement issues during peak hours .
- SCAORA claimed no prior consultation before these changes .
- SCBA objected to the new logo adopted during the 75th anniversary .
- CJI BR Gavai assured restoration and initiated the changes after assuming office .
Legal Insights
Though the matter appears administrative, it raises several constitutional and procedural legal dimensions affecting stakeholder rights and judicial transparency :
- Article 14 of the Constitution of India – Ensures equality before law; the unilateral decisions regarding structural changes and logo alterations without consulting the Bar, can be questioned as arbitrary and violative of equality in participative governance .
- Article 19(1)(g) – Guarantees freedom to practice any profession; the reduced access and congestion due to corridor panels hinder the effective practice of law, especially during court hours .
- Article 21 – Right to life and personal liberty encompasses the right to dignified working conditions for lawyers, clerks and litigants . Structural changes adversely affecting physical access and comfort can raise concerns under this provision .
- Principles of Natural Justice – Particularly audi alteram partem (right to be heard); the absence of prior consultation with the Bar violates this foundational principle of administrative fairness .
- Institutional Autonomy and Court Protocols – While no codified statute governs the emblem or logo design changes in court identity and symbols fall within the internal protocol domain and must respect the historical continuity and institutional sanctity of the judiciary .
Conclusion
With the Supreme Court Returning To Original Avatar Look, CJI BR Gavai underscores a return to simplicity, tradition and participative governance within the judiciary . The move sets a precedent for consultative reform .
Source- Supreme Court of India
Read also – Article 21 of Indian Constitution
