The Delhi High Court has directed the Principle Secretary (Home) and Principle Secretary (Law) of Delhi Government to appear before the Court in a matter concerning the demands of the prosecution department.

The bench of Justice Mukta Gupta and Justice Poonam A. Bamba observed that the response of the Home Department in respect of office space and office infrastructures for prosecution department appeared to be evasive.

"…the response of the Home Department appears to be evasive as, for instance, in respect of office space and office infrastructures, the remarks of the Home Department are that no action was required at their end and thus, a letter was sent to the Registrar General of this Court, requesting to pursue the issue of providing adequate space in each district to the prosecuting officers.", the bench noted.

The Court further observed that "…even in respect to the proposal to reimburse the amount of ₹1.10 lakhs for purchasing laptops, printers, I-Pads etc., it is stated that the previous bids were cancelled as the three participants could not qualify in the technical bid and now, fresh bid has been floated on 9th November 2022. It is not noted as to when the earlier bid was cancelled and the decision to call for fresh bid was taken."

The Court also observed that no reply has been received from the Home Department on the request of the prosecutors for subscription of law journals.

Thus the Court directed that "Considering the stands taken in the status report, Principle Secretary (Home) and Principle Secretary (Law), Govt. of NCT of Delhi are requested to be present in Court on the next date of hearing."

Advocate Akash Saxena appeared for Delhi Prosecutors Welfare Association and APP Salil Maheshwari appeared for Directorate of Prosecution.

The Court has listed the matter on January 12, 2023 for further hearing.

Cause Title- Court on Its Own Motion v. State

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Delhi High CourtJustice Mukta GuptaJustice Poonam A Bamba

Ashish Shaji