Following Justice Ranjan Gogoi taking over charge as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Supreme Court of the country has brought in a major change and now, the Apex Court will be open for the public.
A report published on Thursday by NDTV stated that people now can visit the Supreme Court as tourists and take a guided tour.
Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who hails from Assam, while inviting people to visit the court, said this is aimed to provide people some exposure to the working of the Supreme Court, even if it is an a limited way.
The report quoted Chief Justice as saying: “This is an experiment. Limited exposure of court should be opened up in a limited way.”
As of now, only litigants, lawyers, and their staff and media persons are allowed inside the Supreme Court. The entry to the top court for other people was restricted through an entry pass or an electronic access card.
It has been reported that the Supreme Court premises will now remain open for the public through a guided tour.
The time for the guided tour will be from 10 am to 1 pm every Saturday, except on public holidays.
However, the visitors will have to book their entry on the Supreme Court website.
Besides, an official of the top court will accompany the visitors, take them to courtrooms, inform them about the historical importance of the building and tell them about the cases being heard.
The report also stated that the visitors to the Apex Court will also be shown a short film on the Supreme Court and the excursion will end with a visit to the museum in the top court’s premises.
The top court of the country became operational in 1958 and the foundation stone for its building was laid by India’s first President Dr Rajendra Prasad.