Column | A judge’s burden: Why India’s judicial reforms must begin at the foundation

The Indian Supreme Court was established on January 28, 1950, following the Constitution's inception, sparking hope for freedom, pluralism, and equal rights for all citizens. However, over the past 76 years, the court has strayed from these ideals. Issues such as allowing administrative decisions that impact citizens' lives and failing to address divisive petitions have emerged.

Moreover, the appointment process to constitutional courts remains contested, making reform necessary. The institution's foundation lies in the magisterial level, where meaningful reform should begin. The judge-to-population ratio is imbalanced, and reform requires executive involvement, case statistics, infrastructure assessment, and manpower considerations.

Magistrates are often inexperienced, dealing with administration and police interactions without proper mentoring. The evaluation process is weak, focusing on case disposals instead of quality and complexity of cases. This, coupled with a lack of mental health support, results in burnout and suicide among judicial officers. Instituting mentored relationships between senior and junior judges could facilitate institutional improvements and address these pressing issues.