New Delhi, February 16 The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by the Delhi government against an order by the Delhi High Court, which directed retrospective payment of enhanced remuneration to legal researchers.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi upheld the Delhi High Court order.
"Why should the young researchers suffer due to the government's delay?" the bench asked.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by the Delhi government, arguing that the directions passed by the high court pertain to salaries and allowances and would require the approval of the governor under Article 229(2) of the Constitution.
The Delhi government submitted that the retrospective application of the orders would put the state exchequer under an unplanned liability, imposing an additional financial burden of Rs. 9.45 crore.
The Delhi High Court had increased the monthly salary of legal researchers from Rs 65,000 to Rs 80,000, effective from October 2022.