Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud recalled a recent incident in which he was subjected to 'trolling' and 'vicious abuse' for adjusting his seating position during a hearing due to discomfort, emphasising the importance of judicial officers managing stress and ensuring work-life balance, news agency PTI reported.
According to the report, he was speaking after inaugurating the Karnataka State Judicial Officers Association's 21st Biennial State Level Conference of Judicial Officers, titled "Equity and Excellence for Futuristic Judiciary".
CJI On Work-Life Balance And Stress Management:
Speaking on work-life balance and stress management, which was one of the topics covered during the two-day conference, CJI stated that the ability to manage stress is important in the life of a judge, particularly district judges.
As judicial officers, they frequently deal with vulnerable litigants. Many of the people who come to the courts are upset because of the injustice done to them, he said.
"In their interactions with us as judges, they occasionally cross the line. As Chief Justice of India, I see many lawyers and litigants cross the line when they address us in court. When these litigants cross the line, the solution is not to use the power of contempt (of court), but to understand why they have done so," Justice Chandrachud was quoted as saying by PTI.
He stated that there must be some deep-seated injustice that the lawyers and their clients are dealing with, which is why they sometimes say things they would not normally say.
"In these circumstances, the responsibility you bear is enormous, necessitating a calm and compassionate approach. Maintaining a work-life balance is critical to carrying out these responsibilities effectively," he advised the judicial officers.
A judge who is overwhelmed with work and unable to prioritise personal time with family and self-care may struggle to perform optimally, according to Justice Chandrachud.
"Managing stress and achieving work-life balance are inextricably linked to delivering justice. We often tell physicians and surgeons to 'heal thyself'. Before you can heal others, you need to learn how to heal yourself. The same is true for judges," he added.
Was Trolled For Changing Seat Position: CJI Chandrachud
The Chief Justice of India shared his recent personal experience.
He claimed he was also trolled recently for live-streaming an important hearing.
"Just four or five days ago when I was hearing a case, I had a little pain in my back, so all that I did was I placed my elbows in my armchair in the court and I just shifted my position in the chair," Justice Chandrachud said, as reported by PTI.
He stated that there were several comments on social media claiming that the Chief Justice of India is "so arrogant" that he stood up during an important argument in court.
"They didn't tell you that all he did was shift his position in the chair. 24 years of judging can be strenuous, as I have discovered. I did not leave the court. I only shifted my position, but I was subjected to vicious abuse, trolling, and knives were drawn, but I believe our shoulders are broad enough, and the ultimate confidence that we have is from ordinary citizens in the work that we do," he added further.