SC orders appointment of bipolar disorder-diagnosed candidate as judge

A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and including Justice MM Sundresh of the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the immediate appointment of Bhavya Nain, suffering from bipolar disorder, as a judicial officer in Delhi with appropriate seniority. There is no impediment in Bhavya Nain taking charge as a judicial officer in one of the district courts in Delhi and discharging his duties as a judge, the bench said.

The bench relied on a report from a medical board that said that there was nothing to indicate that Bhavya Nain cannot discharge his responsibilities as a judicial officer. The board was constituted by the top court on November 17.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings including emotional highs and lows. Bhavya Nain was diagnosed with the disorder 11 years ago when he was 25. He cleared the Delhi Judicial Service-2018 examination under the persons with disability (PwD) category. However, the Delhi High Court administration rejected his candidature in May 2019, stating that he would not be able to discharge his duties as a judicial officer owing to his illness.