In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India has begun allowing the general public to participate in guided tours of its premises on designated days. This initiative, aimed at increasing public engagement and awareness about the judiciary’s operations, permits visitors to explore the historically rich corridors of the apex court.
The tours are scheduled for every working Saturday, with the exception of the second and fourth Saturdays and any public holidays. According to a circular issued by Registrar Mahesh T Patankar on January 9, the tours will be organized in four time slots throughout the day, ranging from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
An official from the Supreme Court noted, “Opening of the secured apex court premises will provide a great opportunity for the public to gain inside access to the interiors of the building and admire the majestic structure in its full glory.”
Visitors will need to book their tours online in advance, ensuring an organized and informative experience. During these tours, guests will be escorted through various sections of the building, including the courtrooms, the National Judicial Museum and Archive, and the newly inaugurated judges’ library, which is usually not accessible to the public.
The first of these tours took place on November 3, 2018, and since then, a total of 296 tours have been conducted, each taking about an hour. The Supreme Court, constructed in 1958 and inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first president, in 1954, stands as a symbol of India’s rich legal heritage and cultural history.
