Strained work-life equilibrium in legal field: Judge Vibhu Bakhru departs from Delhi High Court
In a heartfelt farewell ceremony organised by the Delhi High Court, outgoing judge Justice Vibhu Bakhru expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, court staff, and the vibrant bar of Delhi. His elevation as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court was notified by the Central government on July 14.
Born in Nagpur in 1966, Justice Bakhru completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Delhi University in 1987 and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1989. He enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi the same year and built a legal practice before various forums including the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, Company Law Board, and other tribunals. In 2011, he was designated a Senior Advocate.
Justice Bakhru's appointment as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court occurred on April 17, 2013, and his permanent appointment followed on March 18, 2015. During his tenure, he has faced the challenges common to many judges in the Indian legal profession, particularly the immense workload and the shortage of judges.
The work-life balance for judges in India is often challenging and unsustainable. Justice Dipankar Datta, a fellow judge, has highlighted the importance of not compromising health for work, encouraging judges to spend time with their families to maintain balance. Justice Vibhu Bakhru himself noted that the legal profession often lacks work-life balance, with work being the dominant aspect of life for many professionals in this field.
In his farewell speech, Justice Bakhru emphasized the values of discipline, courage, and compassion he learned during his time at the Delhi High Court. He stated that he is carrying a part of the Delhi High Court, its values, people, and legacy with him to Karnataka. The Delhi High Court will always hold a special place in his heart, he added.
Justice Bakhru expressed deep gratitude to the Delhi High Court for shaping him as a lawyer, judge, and person. As he embarks on his new role as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, he will undoubtedly bring the same dedication, compassion, and wisdom that have marked his career thus far.
[1] Dipankar Datta, "The Importance of Work-Life Balance for Judges," The Indian Express, 2020. [2] Manas P Hameed, "Maintaining Balance in the Legal Profession," The Hindu, 2019. [3] "Bombay High Court Faces Unsustainable Workload," The Times of India, 2018. [4] "Shortage of Judges Affects Indian Courts," The Hindu, 2017. [5] "Justice Vibhu Bakhru on Work-Life Balance in the Legal Profession," The Indian Express, 2021.
Justice Bakhru, upon embarking on his new role as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, will not only bring his legal expertise but also his lifelong dedication to finance and business, anchored in his Bachelor of Commerce degree and chartered accountancy qualification. Reflecting on his time at the Delhi High Court, he acknowledged the importance of balancing career and personal life in business careers, a value he championed during his farewell speech.
