Delhi HC asks Delhi govt if judicial officers can be considered “frontline” workers

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the state government if the judicial officials can be considered as “frontline” workers and facilities like anti-Covid-19 vaccination could be extended to them.

“A lot of judges out of necessity have to come to court or go to jails… To say they should not be prioritised or recognised as essential.. they 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’ve already lost three, ” a divisional bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said as quoted by Bar and Bench.

The court stated that so far it has lost three officials from COVID-19.

“If the administration is satisfied that judicial officers are discharging frontline duties, you can record in your order and provide facilities”, the bench said.
The Court clarified that it was only concerned with the judicial officers in the district level judiciary and not the High Court, Supreme Court judges.

The court was hearing a plea moved by the Delhi Judicial Officers Association raising concerns over the health facilities extended to the judicial workers.

Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for the association, stated that in spite of the court’s order, facilities on the ground for judicial officers have been “an eyewash”.

He prayed for district-wise attachment of hospitals for judicial officers as well as the appointment of a centralised nodal officer to assist those seeking any help.

The Court directed the Delhi government to look after the recommendations, sought a status report from the Delhi government and fixed May 26 as the next date for hearing.