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The plea alleged that the class IV employees working in civil courts of UP, were being forced to work at the residences of judicial officers
The Allahabad High Court on February 11, 2025, dismissed a writ petition challenging the practice of Class IV court employees being assigned tasks at the residences of judicial officers. The plea alleged that these employees working in district courts across Uttar Pradesh were being forced to work as domestic helpers at the homes of judicial officers.
The bench of Justice Alok Mathur held that the petition was not maintainable, stating that the association’s bylaws though allow it to work for better service conditions but do not authorize it to take legal action on behalf of its members.
Since the association did not have the legal standing to file the case and individual members were fully capable of approaching the court themselves, court rejected the petition.
The petition was filed by the Anjuman Himayat Chaprasian Sangh, UP. The association contended that its members were being compelled to perform domestic duties at judges’ residences, which went beyond their official responsibilities. They sought a direction restraining judicial officers from assigning them personal tasks outside court hours.
However, a preliminary objection with regard to the maintainability of the writ petition was raised by the counsel representing the high court.
Court also questioned the assertion that judicial officers were exploiting court staff for personal labor. It found merit in the submission made by the counsel appearing for the high court that Class IV employees were often required to transport files and assist judges at their residences as part of judicial work, which could not be equated with forced labor.
"...they assist the judicial officers in dispensation of justice and this cannot be said to be a forced labour or taking any work beyond the prescribed duties," court noted referring to the submission made by the high court counsel.
Accordingly, court held the petition not maintainable and dismissed it.
Case Title: Anjuman Himayat Chaprasian Sangh U.P. Thru. Its Provincial Chairman Brij Kishor Sharma Vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Deptt. Of Law And Legal Remembrance And Another
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