The Delhi High Court has issued a comprehensive set of directives aimed at improving the working conditions of public prosecutors (PPs) in the capital. The order, issued by a Division Bench consisting of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, addresses long-standing issues related to infrastructure, allowances, and technological support for PPs.
The court mandated that all Principal District & Sessions Judges across Delhi’s districts provide necessary office space and technological facilities to public prosecutors. This includes the establishment of e-libraries to ensure that PPs have access to essential legal resources. “Requisite office space for Public Prosecutors must be provided, and an approval for creating e-library spaces should be sought from the Building Maintenance & Construction Committee (BMCC) of the High Court of Delhi,” the justices stated.
Moreover, the court recognized the need for adequate professional attire for PPs by ordering an annual dress allowance of โน10,000, acknowledging the necessity for PPs to wear robes throughout the year. “Given the formal attire required in court, it is appropriate to grant a dress allowance to public prosecutors,” the order read.
In a significant technological upgrade, the court revised the allocation for purchasing laptops and tablets from โน80,000 every five years to every four years, reflecting the actual lifespan of such devices. This adjustment aims to keep the prosecutors equipped with up-to-date technology, enhancing their efficiency in legal proceedings.
The High Court also addressed professional development and security concerns. It requested the Delhi Government to consider granting incentives for PPs pursuing higher qualifications and to reassess security measures for prosecutors, suggesting that allowances or alternative arrangements, such as providing Personal Security Officers (PSOs), be considered given the comparable risks faced by judicial officers.
In addition to technological and financial support, the court directed the establishment of digital libraries in every district, equipped with modern infrastructures such as high-speed broadband, computers, and access to major e-journals and legal software, to support the prosecutors’ research and case preparation needs.
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These sweeping reforms came as part of the High Court’s response to a suo motu writ petition concerning delays in filing appeals, initiated in 2017. Over the years, the Delhi Prosecutors Welfare Association (DPWA) has actively sought to highlight and rectify these issues, culminating in this significant judicial intervention.
Representatives for the DPWA, including Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta and his team, welcomed the court’s decision, noting that it marked a significant step forward in recognizing and addressing the operational challenges faced by public prosecutors in Delhi.
