Delhi High Court Orders Office Space, E-Library For Public Prosecutors In Each District

Observing it is high time to adapt to technological advances, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to create digital library for public prosecutors in each district in the national capital.

A division bench comprising of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain directed Principal District & Sessions Judges of all districts of the national capital to provide requisite office space to the Public Prosecutors posted in their respective districts.

The court said that the e-library would be equipped with requisite number of computer systems, printers, hi-speed broadband and other related infrastructure and also subscription to prominent e-journals and e-legal software.

“The space for office and creating e-library may be identified and approval be sought from of respective Building Maintenance & Construction Committee (BMCC), High Court of Delhi,” it said.

The bench disposed of a suo moto case registered in 2017 for digitization of records of the office of Standing Counsel (criminal) and Directorate of Prosecution and also for streamlining the process of filing appeals. The court has been considering the issue of adequate infrastructural requirements for the prosecutors.

The bench noted that as on date, the Public Prosecutors are getting Rs. 80,000 for purchasing of laptop and tablet which was quite sufficient for enabling them for doing their office work with the help of these technological devices.

However, it added, that prescribed life of such technological devices should be the same i.e. four years instead of five years as has been prescribed for Executive and Judicial Officers.

“GNCTD is directed to issue appropriate Office Memorandum in this regard within six weeks from today. We also clarify that above said amount of Rs. 80,000/- would be exclusive of Goods & Service Tax (GST) and not inclusive,” the court said.

Furthermore, the bench directed that Public Prosecutors be given dress allowance of Rs. 10,000 per annum.

It also directed that the prosecutors would follow the calendar prescribed for Delhi District Courts as approved and notified by High Court.

Other directions issued are as follows:

- As regards summer vacation falling in the month of June, the calendar meant for GNCTD would be applicable till GNCTD considers and takes a call whether the Prosecution Department can be treated as Vacation Department or not and whether during said period any other duty can be assigned to these prosecutors or making provision of any other suitable arrangement. The decision in this regard be taken by GNCTD within eight weeks from today.

- GNCTD must consider request of Public Prosecutors while keeping in mind the fact that similar provision has been made for their colleagues serving in other agencies.

- Since, the judicial officers are also prone to such threat, GNCTD shall consider whether allowance or any alternate arrangement like providing PSO can be made for them or not. Let a decision in this regard be taken within eight weeks from today.

- Public prosecutors would be entitled to camp office allowance @ Rs. 1.25 lacs (once every five years).

In February 2018, the court had directed that the task of computerization should be taken up by the Delhi Government "on a priority basis" by providing the Directorate of Prosecution with sufficient number of equipments, qualified technical personnel so that its entire operations can be computerized.

Title: Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. STATE

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 822

Click here to read order