Placing National Emblem On Supreme Court's Dome To Be Considered On Administrative Side By SC

The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a petition seeking installation of the National Emblem on the dome of the Court's building, observing that the issue would be examined on the administrative side.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi was hearing a petition filed by Badarvada Venugoapl @ Bara Khatarnak seeking a direction to install the National Emblem atop the dome of the Supreme Court building. At the outset, the Chief Justice indicated that the Court was in the process of constructing a new building and the matter could be considered in that context.

"We are constructing a new building, we will deal with it then," the Chief Justice remarked.

The petitioner, appearing a party-in-person, asked, "What about the present building, Sir?"

The Chief Justice assured that the issue would be taken care of and advised that such requests should be addressed administratively rather than through judicial proceedings.

"This issue you could write to me on the administrative side, instead of filing a petition," the Chief Justice said.

The petitioner submitted that he had previously written to the Chief Justice's office in May 2025 and received a response on November 27, 2025 stating that the Supreme Court uses its own emblem.

In response, the Chief Justice observed that the earlier communication had been issued pursuant to an order passed before November 24, 2025, prior to the commencement of his tenure.

"We will see what's to be done. Please don't file a petition on judicial side," the Chief Justice stated.

Disposing of the petition, the Bench held that the issue required examination on the administrative side and directed the Secretary General of the Court to place a note before the competent authority for consideration.

The plea seeks the issuance of an appropriate writ, including a writ of mandamus, directing the Union of India and the Supreme Court, through its Registrar, to ensure that the National Emblem is displayed on the principal architectural feature of the Court, namely its main dome.

According to the petition, if any architectural or structural provision required for such display is presently absent or inadequate, the authorities should take appropriate institutional and technical measures in accordance with law to facilitate installation of the emblem.

The petitioner has further sought that, upon ensuring compliance with the relevant legal framework, the National Emblem be installed and displayed on the dome strictly in accordance with the Constitution of India and the governing statutory regime, including the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007.

Case : BADARAVADA VENUGOPAL @ BARA KHATARNAK v. UNION OF INDIA AND ANR. | W.P.(C) No. 261/2026