Delhi CM Hikes Pay of Law Researchers in High Court from Rs 65,000 to Rs 80,000

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that the monthly remuneration of law researchers working with judges of the Delhi High Court will be increased from ₹65,000 to ₹80,000.

Speaking at the launch of the Delhi High Court Mobile App, e-HRMS Portal for Judicial Officers, e-Office Pilot Project, onboarding of MCD Appellate Tribunal and Juvenile Justice Boards on e-Courts, and Digital Preservation of Judicial Records, the CM also revealed that the government has allocated ₹540 crore in the new budget for judicial accommodation. She added that each judge will now be provided with four law researchers, each receiving ₹80,000 as remuneration.

The High Court is presently hearing a case concerning the pay of law researchers — Rushant Malhotra & Ors. v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors. In this case, 13 researchers who worked with High Court judges between 2018 and 2025 have sought enforcement of a 2023 decision to enhance their salary.

In August 2023, the then Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court had approved raising their pay from ₹65,000 to ₹80,000, effective from October 1, 2022. The Joint Registrar later conveyed this decision to the Delhi Government, but it remained pending for nearly two years. As a result, the researchers moved the High Court for implementation.

The Delhi Government, during the last hearing on August 21, assured the Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta that the matter was under active consideration and a positive decision would follow within ten days. The case will now be taken up again on September 9.