In a groundbreaking event, the Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, listened to arguments presented by a hearing-impaired lawyer for the first time in the history of the Supreme Court. Sarah Sunny, with the assistance of an Indian sign language interpreter, made her case before the highest court in the country, setting a precedent for other physically-challenged lawyers.

Senior advocate Sanchita Ain passionately appealed to Chief Justice Chandrachud, requesting that Sarah be allowed to argue her case with the help of an interpreter. Without hesitation, Chief Justice Chandrachud granted the request, marking a significant step towards inclusivity and accessibility in the Indian legal system.

Overcoming initial hesitations from the control room responsible for managing virtual hearings, Sarah and her interpreter, Saurav Roychowdhury, were accommodated for the proceedings. As Sarah took her turn, her interpreter bridged the communication gap between her and the court, impressing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta with his remarkable speed and accuracy in interpreting sign language.

This historic event reflects Chief Justice Chandrachud's commitment to ensuring justice for all. With the establishment of the "SC Committee on Accessibility" under the leadership of Justice S R Bhat, comprehensive accessibility audits of Supreme Court premises and operations will be conducted. The committee aims to understand the challenges faced by differently-abled individuals, seeking feedback from them and working towards making the Supreme Court more accessible and inclusive.

The successful participation of Sarah Sunny and her interpreter in the Supreme Court proceedings heralds a new era of equal opportunities and empowerment for persons with disabilities in the legal field. It emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and dismantling barriers to justice for a truly inclusive society.