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The Delhi government today informed the Delhi High Court that it has declared its judicial officers as frontline officers for the purpose of Covid 19 Vaccination on priority basis.

The submission was made in response to a plea filed by Delhi Judicial Officers Association seeking appropriate health benefits to judicial officers.

The division bench comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh in the previous hearing had suggested that the government should consider declaring Judicial officers as frontline officers, specially those serving at the district levels who are more exposed to risk. The bench had observed that in order to keep the wheels of justice running, the government should consider giving preferential treatment to judicial officers as are being conferred to doctors.

Advocate Dayan Krishnan appearing for the petitioner Association submitted that though the aspect relating to declaring judicial officers as frontline officers had been put in place but there were other issues relating to compensation.

In this regard, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra appearing for GNCTD stated that the said category of front line workers was created for vaccine & if in future there are any other aspects in relation to which frontline workers are prioritized, the same shall be extended to judicial officers also. Further with respect to the issue of grant of ex gratia compensation, GNCTD stated that it has to look into that aspect.

Krishnan submitted that after the meeting on May 19 the GNCTD has approached the whole matter. The bench was informed that a central nodal officer has been appointed for all the district judges.

The Court also noted that the committee headed by Justice Mukta Gupta and comprising Justices Navin Chawla & Prathiba Singh have issued directions in respect of treatment to be made available to judicial officers. 

In a connected plea by Advocate Tanvir Ahmed Mir seeking reimbursement of expenses incurred by judicial officers in non-empaneled hospitals, the bench refused to pass any order saying that the committee would look into that aspect.

The bench however directed that the staff of Delhi High Court & District Judiciary who go to non-empaneled hospitals for treatment should be provided free treatment.

The Court disposed of the petition with these observations “We hope & expect GNCTD to look into these issues with adequate empathy & sympathy with special reference to the fact that judicial officers have been declared as front-line workers. In our view, all issues have been taken into consideration & therefore we dispose of this petition. In case any issues arise in future, the petitioners will be at the liberty to approach the court.”