Today: 22 July 2025
9 October 2023
3 mins read

Breaking Sound Barriers: Deaf Attorney’s Inspiring Legal Journey

Ms. Sunny’s journey to becoming a lawyer was remarkable, having overcome numerous obstacles. She attended mainstream schools, relying on lip reading and the support of friends…reports Asian Lite News

In September, a remarkable event took place in the hallowed halls of India’s Supreme Court. A 27-year-old named Ms. Sunny, who happens to be deaf, appeared before Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. What made this occasion truly exceptional was that the court had allowed a sign language interpreter to assist her with her arguments—a precedent-setting act of inclusivity.

The historic moment continued to unfold on October 6 when the court appointed its own interpreter for Ms. Sunny. This marked the first time in the court’s history that such a step was taken, with the intention of ensuring that she could fully comprehend and participate in the proceedings. Justice Chandrachud even suggested the possibility of having interpreters for constitution bench hearings to make legal proceedings accessible to all.

This groundbreaking development was met with widespread acclaim, with legal experts and observers highlighting its potential to make the Indian legal system more inclusive and accommodating to the needs of the deaf community. Senior lawyer Menaka Guruswamy called it a “truly historic and momentous” occasion, while Sanchita Ain, the lawyer who collaborates with Ms. Sunny, believed it would have far-reaching positive implications. She stated, “She has broken many stereotypes, this will encourage more deaf students to study law and make the legal system accessible to the deaf.”

Ms. Sunny, hailing from the southern city of Bengaluru, has been practicing law for two years. In lower courts, she was often denied the use of an interpreter, as judges doubted their ability to comprehend legal terminology. Consequently, she resorted to submitting her arguments in writing as per BBC reports.

Saurav Roychowdhury, the interpreter who initially assisted Ms. Sunny, lacked a legal background but possessed experience in translating for lawyers and legal students. However, the absence of sign language interpreters trained in legal terminology in India posed a challenge. Despite this, Ms. Sunny was resolute in her pursuit, determined to break barriers and inspire others in the deaf community to follow in her footsteps.

Ms. Sunny’s journey to becoming a lawyer was remarkable, having overcome numerous obstacles. She attended mainstream schools, relying on lip reading and the support of friends. Though she faced ridicule from some, her determination remained unshaken. She eventually pursued a law degree at St. Joseph’s College in Bengaluru, where her mother’s support was replaced by that of friends and her deaf twin sister, Maria Sunny, and brother, Pratik Kuruvilla, who have also achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.

The significance of Ms. Sunny’s achievement extends beyond her personal journey. It shines a light on the challenges faced by the deaf community in building careers in law due to stigma and a lack of interpreters in courts. Notably, the Delhi High Court set a precedent in April when it allowed another deaf lawyer, Saudamini Pethe, to appear in a case with an interpreter.

Recognizing the need for change, the high court initiated the appointment of its own interpreters in September, a move endorsed by the Association of Sign Language Interpreters India (ASLI). These actions aimed to make legal proceedings accessible to both lawyers and judges.

As per the 2011 Census, India is home to 18 million deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The spotlight on sign language accessibility is seen as a positive step towards securing their rights. Moreover, this development could generate employment opportunities for sign language interpreters, a profession in which skilled individuals are currently scarce.

Ranjini Ramanujam, who is deaf herself and works at an IT company, described the Supreme Court’s actions as “a blessing” and “a barrier remover.” She believes that this move sets an example for other offices to follow, echoing the sentiment that the Supreme Court’s decision has given a voice to the deaf and established a new standard for inclusivity.

ALSO READ-UN Secy General “strong advocate” for UNSC permanent seat for India

Previous Story

US to aid Israel

Next Story

Madame Tussauds Adds Allu Arjun to Its Roster

Latest from Lite Blogs

India’s Innovation Powerhouse Emerges

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 by Startup Genome, San Francisco, USA, five Indian startup ecosystems have secured spots in the top 15 Asian ecosystem: Bengaluru-Karnataka; Kerala; Odisha; Tamil Nadu;

Censor Board Clears Mareesan for Release

The film’s music, composed by the acclaimed Yuvan Shankar Raja, further elevates the emotional and philosophical undertones of the film The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has officially granted a U/A

Chopra’s Support Fueled ‘Maharaj’

The 2024 historical thriller marked the acting debut of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan, whom Siddharth described as “like a son.” Filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra has credited Aditya Chopra’s unwavering emotional support

EVENT: GBS UK Graduation

London’s Prestigious Wembley Stadium Hosts GBS UK Graduation for 2025 Almost 2,000 Global Banking School UK students graduated from a range of courses, all aimed at making them valuable assets for employers

Personalising Parkinson’s Drug Response

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, and its incidence is rapidly rising In a significant breakthrough, researchers from Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada have uncovered why levodopa—the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Israel SC Holds Historic Hearings on Judicial Overhaul Law

The appeals ask the court to strike down a major

Law Ministry pushes for automatic repeal in legislation

Former Union law secretary P.K. Malhotra explained that when the