New Delhi, May 25: A significant internal disagreement has surfaced within the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) over a ₹50 crore group health insurance scheme initiated by former SCBA president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal. The ambitious project, aimed at providing health coverage to lawyers, has drawn mixed reactions—especially from the SCBA’s newly elected president, senior advocate Vikas Singh, who has suggested a review or even scrapping of the scheme.
A Welfare Initiative Turns Controversial
Sibal launched the initiative to provide a ₹2 lakh health insurance cover for nearly 2,800 SCBA members. The scheme is backed financially by India’s top industrialists, and the insurance is being offered via National Insurance Company, with medical support facilitated through the Apollo Group.
However, Vikas Singh has raised questions about the financial structure and inclusivity of the plan. Speaking to The Indian Express, Singh said, “In my personal opinion, this scheme needs to be renegotiated or discontinued. The premium for ₹2 lakh coverage is higher than what would be required for ₹5 lakh coverage.” He further argued that the scheme should only benefit economically weaker lawyers, not all members—including Sibal and himself.
Industrial Giants Behind the Donations
According to media reports, the fund was collected through direct appeals made by Sibal to prominent business leaders. Among the contributors:
- Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Group) – ₹10 crore
- Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani, N. Chandrasekaran (Tata), Sameer Mehta (Torrent), G.M. Rao (GMR), Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal (Vedanta), and Lakshmi Mittal – ₹5 crore each
These donations were aimed at creating a sustainable welfare mechanism for lawyers, a segment often left vulnerable to medical expenses.
Kapil Sibal Defends the Scheme
Responding to the controversy, Sibal clarified that donations were made to the SCBA as an institution, not to any individual. “I have appeared for and against these companies in court. That’s part of our professional duty, not personal relationships,” he stated.
Sibal also emphasized the personal nature of the fundraising. “I called each of them personally. I told Gautam Adani, ‘You’re practically an emperor now—₹5 crore is too little.’ He laughed and said, ‘Take this now; if you need more, let me know.’”
Debate Over CSR and Transparency
Vikas Singh raised a critical point regarding the source of funds, noting that if the contributions were not part of corporate CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) allocations but were direct donations to the association, the legal conflict would be minimal.
Nonetheless, questions remain about transparency, fund utilization, and fairness in selecting beneficiaries. Singh’s concern focuses on ensuring the aid goes only to those who genuinely need it.
Chief Justice of India Applauds the Initiative
Despite internal disagreements, the scheme received strong backing from Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, who, during an SCBA event on May 21, described the move as “an exemplary effort” and “a meaningful shield for lawyers.”
“This isn’t just a social initiative,” the CJI remarked, “but a vital safety net reflecting genuine concern for the welfare of the legal fraternity.”
Outlook
While the initiative has noble intentions and powerful endorsements, its future now hangs in the balance amid calls for a re-evaluation. The debate underscores the challenges of implementing welfare schemes in institutions steeped in hierarchy, ethics, and accountability. Whether it will be revised, restructured, or remain intact remains to be seen.
