Kapil Sibal, a senior advocate and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), recently raised an impressive ₹50 crore from leading industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, and others, with the noble intention of funding a group medical insurance policy for lawyers. This act of goodwill aimed to offer much-needed health security to members of the legal fraternity, many of whom lack adequate medical coverage.
However, the initiative has sparked debate within the Bar. Some members have raised concerns over the cost-effectiveness of the policy. The newly elected SCBA president, senior advocate Vikas Singh, expressed his intention to bring this matter up for urgent review, questioning whether the premium paid for the proposed ₹2 lakh coverage was justified. He believes the policy may need to be renegotiated—or even scrapped—to better serve the association’s members.
Despite the opposition, the effort highlights a broader issue: the lack of structured welfare schemes for lawyers in India. Many legal professionals, especially those starting out or practicing in lower courts, face financial uncertainty, including limited access to health insurance. Sibal’s move, while controversial, underscores an urgent need for systemic support and institutional reforms to ensure the wellbeing of those who uphold the law.
While the final shape of the policy remains uncertain, the gesture of reaching out to corporate India for lawyer welfare reflects a growing awareness of the silent struggles within the legal community. In a profession that often fights for others, it’s heartening to see conversations emerge around fighting for the rights and dignity of lawyers themselves.
