SC mulls having sign language interpreter during Constitution bench hearings

“I was telling the Secretary General yesterday that perhaps for the Constitution bench hearings, we will now try and ensure that we have an interpreter so that the wider audience across the country who have issues about hearing impairment can watch the proceedings and understand them,” Chief Justice Chandrachud said.

After hearing her case, the CJI asked Sunny, “I hope this was intelligible to you and you were able to understand what is going on in the court?”

Sunny replied through her interpreter and said, “Yes sir, it is really helpful”.

The CJI added, “It is our elementary duty now to ensure that we have a broad and diverse workplace in the Supreme Court”.

He also had a word of advice for Sunny and said, “You must now start arguing your own matters before us.”

Sunny had appeared before the court last month too, on September 22, but through her own interpreter. Subsequently, she approached the Supreme Court under its rule which empowered the Registrar to take a call on applications for the appointment and approval of translators or interpreters. The SC Registry agreed to her request.