Mental Health And Well-Being Of District Judicial Officers Often Overlooked : CJI DY Chandrachud

The CJI was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 'National Conference on the District Judiciary' at the Supreme Court.  

The CJI in his address underlined how judicial officers dealing with a variety of cases and the emotional baggages of the parties need to balance their professional work with mental well being too.

“These multifarious responsibilities bring extraordinary challenges. It is difficult for a judge not to be affected by the actual face of suffering that each of us encounters every day – a family which is coming face to face with a gruesome crime, an undertrial who is languishing for years or the children in a parental matrimonial dispute. Judges are despite being professionals, affected by their own brush with reality. Their mental health may suffer as a consequence”.

He mentioned that often the issue of mental health is brushed under the carpet and doesn't receive the adequate attention that it deserves. He noted that the inclusion of mental health and well being of district judicial officers in the two day long conference would aid in a healthy deliberation of work-life balance.

“This aspect is of great consequence but it unfortunately does not receive the attention that it merits. As a step towards a more open discussion on the topic, the third session today is on judicial wellness, with a focus on holistic wellness, stress management, mental health, and quality of life. I hope that the discussion will bring to your attention practices which not only enhance your ability to discharge your duties effectively but enrich your lives.”

The CJI also recalled how a young lady judicial officer shared her experience of facing discrimination by senior lawyers for her age and gender. He urged that such experiences may discourage the young judicial officers in effectively imparting their duties and the fraternity should endeavor to encourage younger faces in the profession.

“A young district judge from a rural court recently shared her experiences. She said that while most members of the bar were respectful, a few lawyers frequently addressed her disrespectfully and with condescension. The issue appeared to arise solely due to her age and gender. Such instances can be disheartening. Your support to your younger colleagues at such times would be invaluable and would strengthen the fabric of the judicial institution.”

CJI Chandrachud higlighted that besides discharging the judicial function, judges from the district judiciary perform numerous functions. They are administrators of courts, mentors to young judges, and communicators in society but above all they are protectors of rights for those who possess them but do not know that they exist or are unable to enforce them. They oversee the development of infrastructure and engage in case management. They work with paralegals, legal aid committees, and Lok Adalats in the course of their work.

The CJI also shed light on the significant technological progress made within the Indian legal system. He highlighted that in 2023-2024, a remarkable 46.48 crore pages of court records have been scanned or digitized.

He added that 714 district court websites are now hosted on the Government of India's S3waaS platform. Additionally, the National Judicial Data Grid, managed by the e-Committee and the National Informatics Centre, has become a valuable resource for both lawyers and citizens. It provides real-time data on over 4 crore cases across district courts and High Courts. He noted that even the district judiciary has embraced digital courts with 2.3 crore cases being heard through video conferencing at district level.

The CJI emphasized the role of e-Sewa Kendras in bridging the digital divide. With 970 fully functional centers in district court complexes and 27 more in High Court premises, these facilities assist lawyers and litigants with e-processes, including e-filing and case status inquiries.

The event was also graced by the presence of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched the coin and stamp commemorating 75 years since the establishment of the Supreme Court.

The event can be viewed here.