Law Researchers of judges move Delhi High Court for increase in monthly remuneration

Thirteen legal researchers attached to offices of High Court judges between 2018 and 2025 on contractual basis have moved the Delhi High Court seeking implementation of a decision to increase their monthly remuneration [Rushant Malhotra & Ors. Vs The Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors].In August 2023, the then Chief Justice had approved the recommendation to raise the monthly renumeration of law researchers from ₹65,000 to ₹80,000 with effect from October 1, 2022. Thereafter, in September 2023, the Joint Registrar of the Delhi High Court conveyed the decision to the Delhi government. According to the plea, the decision is still pending with the government. .The matter was listed before the Division Bench of Justice C Hari Shankar and Justice Ajay Digpaul on May 29.However, Justice Digpaul recused from the case since his extended family member had been a law researcher at the High Court. “As one of us (Ajay Digpaul, J.) is not in a position to hear this matter, list this matter before another Bench of which one of us is not a member,” the Court said. Accordingly, the matter was ordered to be listed before a different bench on July 2. .The petition has been filed by Rushant Malhotra and others through advocates Shashank Agarwal, Abhishek Taneja, Sahil Sharma, Surya Pratap Sirohi and Bhavya Khatreja.The petitioners have sought directions for implementation of the Chief Justice’s decision with effect from October 1, 2022 along with arrears and interest at 18% per annum till the realization of the amounts. “Almost two years have elapsed since the proposal was first sent to GNCTD, and even after the clarifications were provided on 07.05.2024, the order has not been implemented. The failure to act upon the Hon’ble Chief Justice’s order dated 16.08.2023 and continued withholding of arrears, despite clear administrative approvals and constitutional sanction under Article 229, necessitates the present writ petition,” the plea states. The plea alleges that the Delhi government has arbitrarily and without any just cause chosen to not clear the decision of the Delhi High Court. .Senior Advocate Ankit Jain with advocates Abhishek Taneja, Aditya Chauhan, Sahil Sharma, Shashank Agarwal, Bhavya Khatreja and Surya Sirohi appeared for the petitioners. Senior Panel Counsel Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy with advocate Amit Gupta appeared for Delhi Government. Standing Counsel Radhika Bishwajit Dubey with advocates Gurleen Kaur Waraich and Kritarth Upadhyay appeared for the Delhi High Court. [Read Order]