The Allahabad High Court rejects a writ petition challenging the alleged practice of assigning Class IV court employees to perform tasks at the residences of judicial officers.

The petition, filed by Anjuman Himayat Chaprasian Sangh, UP, claimed that district court employees across Uttar Pradesh were being compelled to work as domestic helpers at judges’ homes, beyond their official duties.

A bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur ruled the petition as non-maintainable, emphasizing that while the association's bylaws allow it to advocate for better service conditions, they do not authorize it to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of its members. The court noted that individual employees could independently approach the court if they had grievances.

During the hearing, the High Court's counsel raised a preliminary objection regarding the maintainability of the plea. The court also examined the claim that judicial officers were misusing staff for personal labor but found merit in the submission that Class IV employees often assist in judicial work, including transporting files and aiding judges at their residences, which could not be classified as forced labor.

Referring to these submissions, the court observed, "They assist the judicial officers in the dispensation of justice, and this cannot be considered forced labor or work beyond prescribed duties."

Based on these findings, the court dismissed the petition.

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