Why public prosecutors bills not paid, asks HC

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Central and Delhi government why public prosecutors, who represent governments in courts, were not paid their fees immediately after the bills are raised.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Anu Malhotra took into note that payment of public prosecutors in trial courts and High Court are pending for over a year.

"Prosecutors in High Court say they have not been paid for two months. How can we expect lawyers to perform efficiently when their payments are not made. Also they are not equipped with basic infrastructure to carry out their duties," said the bench.

The court asked the Central government to file its report on the status of Delhi Government's proposal pending consideration before it for enhancement of pay scales of public prosecutors in trial courts and the High Court.

Rahul Mehra, senior standing counsel of the Delhi Government, told the bench that bills of trial court prosecutors has been sent from his office and was pending scrutiny before its law department.

The High Court in 2009 had taken up the suo moto cognizance of issue of non-payment of salaries to government counsel over the slow pace of work in trial courts.

The court now posted the matter for May 15.

--IANS

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