Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized the importance of openly addressing mental health concerns among district judicial officers, acknowledging the significant work-related stress they endure.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 'National Conference on the District Judiciary' at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stressed the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with mental well-being. He highlighted how judicial officers, who handle a wide range of cases and the emotional burdens of the parties involved, must also prioritize their mental health.

“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”.

Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that mental health issues are often overlooked and do not receive the attention they deserve. He emphasized that incorporating discussions on the mental health and well-being of district judicial officers into the two-day conference would foster a healthy deliberation on 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 Chief Justice also recounted an experience shared by a young female judicial officer who faced discrimination from senior lawyers due to her age and gender. He expressed concern that such experiences could discourage young judicial officers from effectively performing their duties and urged the legal fraternity to support and encourage the younger members of 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 highlighted that district judiciary judges take on multiple roles beyond their judicial duties. They serve as court administrators, mentors to younger judges, and communicators within society. Most importantly, they are protectors of rights, advocating for those who may possess rights but are unaware of them or unable to enforce them.

In addition to their judicial duties, district judges oversee infrastructure development, engage in case management, and collaborate with paralegals, legal aid committees, and Lok Adalats. 

CJI Chandrachud also highlighted the significant technological advancements within the Indian legal system, noting that in 2023-2024 alone, an impressive 46.48 crore pages of court records have been scanned or digitized.

He further mentioned 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 an invaluable resource for both lawyers and citizens.

The National Judicial Data Grid offers real-time data on over 4 crore cases across district and High Courts. CJI Chandrachud also noted that the district judiciary has embraced digital courts, with 2.3 crore cases being heard through video conferencing at the district level.

CJI Chandrachud emphasized the importance of e-Sewa Kendras in bridging the digital divide. With 970 fully operational centers in district court complexes and an additional 27 in High Court premises, these facilities help lawyers and litigants with various e-processes, including e-filing and case status inquiries.

The event was also attended by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched a commemorative coin and stamp marking 75 years since the establishment of the Supreme Court.