Delhi High Court Directs Govt To Expedite Decision On Approval Of Enhanced Remuneration To Law Researchers

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to expeditiously decide on the application of the enhanced remuneration of the Law Researchers pending for a while observing that they play important role in assisting Judges.

The Court was considering a Writ Petition filed by 13 Law Researchers seeking the implementation of the direction issued by the Acting Chief Justice dated August 16, 2023, enhancing the monthly remuneration of the LRs with effect from October 01, 2022.

The Division Bench of Justice Pratibha M. Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta observed, "It deserves to be noted that LRs who are attached to Judges of this Court or any other Court have an important role to play in the assistance which is rendered to Judges. They prepare case briefs, conduct research and are expected to stay abreast with the latest developments in law. Owing to the quantum of work that Judges have to deal with on a daily basis, Law Researchers are also required to stay late hours everyday and also usually work on weekends and holidays. Prima facie, the Delhi Government ought to consider the approved enhancement by the Court and take a decision in an expedited manner...."

The Petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate Ankit Jain, while the Respondent was represented by Standing Counsel Avnish Ahlawat.

The remuneration for Law Researchers was increased to ₹50,000/-, and the High Court had sought sanction for the same from the GNCTD on August 24, 2018 and the same remained pending for several years. During its pendency, it was again enhanced to ₹65,000/- with effect from August 01, 2019, which was finally sanctioned on November 01, 2021 and a notification revising the said remuneration of LRs in the official engagement scheme was issued on February 16, 2022.

Counsel for the Petitioners submitted that a Committee of Judges have approved the increase in the monthly remuneration of the LRs from ₹5,000/- to ₹80,000/- and the Acting Chief Justice has also approved the same. He further stated that it has been communicated by the Establishment Branch (I) of the Delhi High Court on September 01, 2023 to the Delhi Government; however, the same has not been considered yet, and no approval has been granted.

The Court accordingly directed for expeditious handling of the matter. The Petition was accordingly listed for August 21, 2025.

Cause Title: Rushant Malhotra & Ors. vs. The Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors.

Appearances:

Petitioner- Senior Advocate Ankit Jain, Advocate Abhishek Taneja, Advocate Aditya VS Chauhan, Advocate Shashank Agarwal, Advocate Sahil Sharma, Advocate Bhavya Khatreja, Advocate Apurva Tyagi, Advocate Surya Sirohi

Respondent- Standing Counsel Avnish Ahlawat, Advocate N.K. Singh, Advocate Aliza Alam, Advocate Mohnish Sehrawat, Advocate Amitoj Chadha, Standing Counsel Radhika Bishwajit Dubey, Advocate Gurleen Kaur Waraich, Advocate Vivek Sharma, Advocate Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, Advocate Usha Jamnal, Advocate Harshita Chaturvedi

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