The Supreme Court has permitted a hearing impaired lawyer to argue a case in sign language with the help of a sign language interpreter. An unusual request was made in the Supreme Court before the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud led bench by Sanchita, the advocate on record to permit a hearing impaired advocate named Sarah Sunny to virtually argue a case concerning rights of Persons with Disability with the help of a sign language interpreter Saurav Roychowdhury.
The CJI agreed to the request at once and the virtual court supervisor opened the online hearing window. The speed at which the interpreter conveyed the court proceedings to Sarah Sunny was just amazing and the judges were impressed.
This is the first time that the Supreme Court has heard a case argued by a hearing impaired lawyer and an interpreter.
The CJI has been calling for ensuring equal access to justice.
