New Delhi: Chief Justice Surya Kant has constituted a standing committee to tackle the mounting mental and physical strain on India's judiciary, a move announced on Saturday coinciding with World Mental Health Day. The panel, chaired by Supreme Court judge Justice K V Viswanathan, marks a shift from ad-hoc welfare measures to a structured institutional mechanism for supporting judicial officers.
The composition of the committee is notable for its clinical expertise. It includes Dr Savita Malhotra, former dean of PGIMER Chandigarh and head of its Department of Psychiatry, alongside Rajat Mitra, a psychologist and co-founder of the Swanchetan Society for Mental Health. Legal and administrative representation comes from advocate-on-record Mrinal Kanwar and Aarti Singh, Registrar (J) at the Supreme Court’s Centre for Research and Planning. This blend of medical, psychological, and legal minds suggests a holistic approach to the unique pressures of the bench.
The Supreme Court’s statement highlights the reality of judicial service: heavy caseloads, long hours, and exposure to emotionally harrowing cases. The court explicitly linked the well-being of judges to the efficiency of the justice delivery system, arguing that a stressed judiciary cannot deliver impartial and timely justice. The committee’s mandate is to identify existing challenges, coordinate welfare measures, and develop guidance to improve conditions across the country.
This initiative aims to move beyond isolated interventions. The panel will periodically review support mechanisms and establish a long-term framework for judicial well-being. As the committee begins its work, the focus will be on creating sustainable practices that protect the mental health of those who sit in judgment of the nation.