Today, the Supreme Court urged High Court judges to promptly record the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of judicial officers to ensure they do not miss out on promotion opportunities.

The Court also urged the appellate committees of the High Courts to expedite the decision-making process on representations filed by judicial officers concerning their ACRs.

A bench consisting of Justice BR Gavai, Justice AG Masih, and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued the order in the All India Judges Association case after observing that the ACRs of numerous judicial officers were being delayed.

Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate K. Paremeshwar informed the bench that in certain High Courts, some judges fail to record the ACRs of judicial officers. Additionally, in some High Courts, the appellate forum, typically composed of the judges' committee of the High Court, takes years to address the representations made by judicial officers seeking expunctions, modifications, or verification of their ACRs.

Due to these delays, judicial officers are deprived of timely consideration for promotional opportunities.

"We request the Hon'ble Chief Justices of High Courts to impress upon the judges concerned to promptly record the ACRs of judicial officers and also to the appellate committees to consider the representations of judicial officers with regard to ACRs at the earliest so that they are not deprived of their promotional avenues."