The All India Judicial Employees Confederation (AIJEC) has decided to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court for an early hearing of its long-pending petition concerning service-related issues faced by judicial employees across the country. The decision was taken during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the organisation held at the India International Centre Annexe in New Delhi on Sunday. The NEC meeting, chaired by AIJEC National President Raju Bhai Brahmbhatt, discussed several concerns affecting judicial employees, including pay disparities, anomalies in salary revisions, limited promotion opportunities, inadequate service conditions and the absence of certain benefits and facilities.

The committee expressed concern over the delay in resolving these issues despite repeated representations. During the meeting, members decided to pursue legal measures before the Supreme Court to secure an early hearing and speedy disposal of Civil Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1040 of 2017. The petition seeks implementation of the principle of "Equal Pay for Equal Work" and uniform designations for judicial employees across India. The AIJEC said judicial employees have not yet received the full benefits of the Justice Shetty Commission's recommendations, despite more than two decades having passed since the commission was constituted under the directions of the Supreme Court.

The organisation pointed out that the apex court had also issued directions regarding the implementation of the commission's recommendations. According to a statement issued after the meeting, the committee highlighted that when the Justice Shetty Commission recommendations were first due for implementation, the Fifth Central Pay Commission was in force. It noted that the country is now moving towards implementation of the Eighth Pay Commission, while several fundamental concerns of judicial employees remain unresolved.

Also Read: SC Judge Says No Law Bars Eating Chicken Over Ganga, Questions Students' Arrest

The NEC described the delay as "highly unfortunate and unjust" for judicial employees, who play a crucial role in supporting the functioning of courts across the country. Representatives said the lack of uniform service conditions and disparities in pay structures have created difficulties for employees working in different judicial establishments. The Justice Shetty Commission was formed to examine the service conditions, pay structures and other benefits of judicial employees.

Its recommendations were aimed at improving working conditions and creating greater uniformity among judicial staff across states and Union Territories.  However, AIJEC members said many of the recommendations have not been fully implemented even after several years. The organisation's latest decision signals a renewed effort to bring the matter before the Supreme Court and seek judicial intervention. The committee maintained that timely resolution of these issues is necessary to ensure fairness and improve the efficiency of the judicial system.

Judicial employees provide administrative and operational support to courts, assisting in the day-to-day functioning of the justice delivery system. The AIJEC has argued that improving their service conditions is essential for maintaining an effective and efficient judiciary. With the matter now set to return to the focus of the Supreme Court, judicial employees across the country will be watching developments closely. The AIJEC has expressed hope that its petition will receive an early hearing and that long-pending concerns related to pay, designations and service benefits will be addressed.

Also Read: Supreme Court Prohibits Unauthorised Sharing Of Court Hearing Recordings