Deepali Kalia
On May 19, the Delhi High Court asked the state government to consider declaring judicial officers presiding over lower courts as frontline workers if the government deems it fit to do so.
Judicial officers can be considered as frontline workers as in the middle of a dangerous pandemic they are still fulfilling their duty and keeping the wheels of Justice in motion opined a division bench comprising of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh.
“A lot of judges out of necessity have to come to court or visit jails. Judges would say they don’t want preferential treatment, but why not? Not because they are judges but because of the work. That’s the way we look at it. We have already lost three”, the court stated.
The court therefore said that it is up to the discretion of the government and if they are satisfied that judicial officers are discharging frontline duties then they can be rendered facilities and benefits conferred to such workers.
“You should take steps for good reason. We don’t have to thrust. If the administration is satisfied that judicial officers are discharging frontline duties, you can record in your order and provide facilities,” the court said to the Delhi government.
The bench, however, clarified that such consideration should only be extended to judicial officers in the district level judiciary and not the High Court and Supreme Court judges.
The court made the following observations while hearing a plea filed by the Delhi Judicial Officers Association expressing concerns regarding health facilities available to them
