The Delhi High Court has sought an explanation from the Delhi Government over its continued inaction on implementing a judicially approved pay hike for legal researchers, raising serious concerns over administrative indifference to institutional decisions.
The matter stems from a petition filed by thirteen law researchers who served in the chambers of Delhi High Court judges between 2018 and 2025. They approached the Court seeking implementation of a 2023 resolution, whereby the then Chief Justice had approved an increase in their monthly stipend from ₹65,000 to ₹80,000 with retrospective effect from October 1, 2022.
A Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta, while issuing notice, emphasized the indispensable role of law researchers in the judicial ecosystem. “They stay late, work weekends, and are integral to the functioning of this institution. Prima facie, the government ought to have acted,” the Court observed.
Despite administrative approval from the High Court and subsequent communication to the Delhi Government in September 2023, the enhanced remuneration has not been disbursed. The petition alleges that the delay continues even after detailed clarifications were submitted on May 7, 2024.
The Bench directed the government to respond by way of a short affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on August 21. Notably, two judges, Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ajay Digpaul, had previously recused from the matter citing conflict of interest.
The petitioners have alleged that the inaction violates constitutional safeguards under Article 229, which empowers High Courts to regulate conditions of service for their staff. They have sought enforcement of the approved hike along with arrears and 18% annual interest on delayed payments.
“Nearly two years have passed since the proposal was first sent. The continued withholding of arrears despite full administrative sanction has forced us to seek judicial intervention,” the plea reads.
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