22/03/2026
Supreme Court Justice N Kotiswar Singh on Saturday said judges often suffer from high blood pressure and other ailments due to intense work-related stress. Recalling his own experience, he said he was physically fit as a lawyer but developed a paunch and hypertension after joining the bench. “It’s a disease peculiar to judges,” he remarked, adding that many judges don’t disclose their health issues though doctors routinely check their BP. Speaking at the SCBA’s first National Conference on “Reimagining Judicial Governance,” Justice Singh said the public is largely unaware of judges’ working conditions, especially in district courts. He described the district judiciary as functioning in “pathetic conditions” and noted that trial courts hesitate to impose meaningful costs for delays. He also claimed lower court judges are often scared of lawyers, typically imposing only ₹50–₹100 as costs, reflecting pressure within the system.