The Delhi High Court comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta issued notice on a writ petition filed by 13 Law Researchers (LRs) seeking implementation of a previously approved increase in their monthly remuneration. The petition arises from the non-action of the Delhi Government in implementing a direction issued by the Acting Chief Justice on 16 August 2023, which had approved raising the LRs’ pay from ₹65,000 to ₹80,000 per month with effect from 1 October 2022.
The Court noted that Law Researchers play a critical role in judicial functioning by assisting judges through legal research, preparing briefs, and working extended hours, often including weekends and holidays. Despite the approval of the revised honorarium by a committee of judges and the Acting Chief Justice, and formal communication of the same to the Delhi Government on 1 September 2023, no steps had been taken by the Government to process or implement the enhancement.
The Court expressed concern over the delay and observed that the Delhi Government ought to have taken an expedited decision on the High Court’s proposal. The Bench accordingly issued notice to the respondents, including the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) and the Union of India. The petitioners were granted liberty to file an amended memo of parties to reflect both the Law Secretary and Finance Secretary of GNCTD as Respondents Nos. 1(A) and 1(B), and the Ministry of Law and Justice as Respondent No. 3.
The Court directed the GNCTD and the Union of India to file short affidavits and listed the matter for further hearing on 21 August 2025, marking it as part-heard.
Appearances:
Petitioner: Mr. Ankit Jain, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Abhishek Taneja, Mr. Aditya VS Chauhan, Mr. shashank Agarwal, Mr Sahil Sharma, Mr. Bhavya Khatreja, Ms. Apurva Tyagi & Mr. Surya Sirohi, Advs.
Respondent: Ms. Avnish Ahlawat, SC, Mr. N.K. Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam, Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat and Mr. Amitoj Chadha, Advs. Ms Radhika Bishwajit Dubey, Standing Counsel DHC with Ms. Gurleen Kaur Waraich and Mr. Vivek Sharma, Advs for R-2.
Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, Ms. Usha Jamnal & Ms. Harshita Chaturvedi, Advs. for R-3.