6 yrs after sanction, court manager posts remain vacant in Punjab, Haryana

 Nearly six years after 48 posts of Court Manager Grade-II were sanctioned for district courts in Punjab and Haryana, the recruitment process remains in cold storage even as the Supreme Court has now directed high courts across the country to frame or amend rules for the regularisation and appointment of court managers.

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The development assumes significance in light of a July 19, 2024, order by Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, wherein the Bench categorically stated, “There would be no harm if the selection process for recruitment of 48 posts of Court Manager Grade-II is initiated on the basis of Draft Service Rules… without any further loss of time.”

Justice Sindhu had noted that the posts had been sanctioned as far back as September 2019, but a “fruitful exercise” had still not been undertaken for their filling. The Bench had also made it clear that in the prevailing circumstances, “there would be no doubt that court managers can render valuable assistance for the administration of justice”.

The directions came after the Single Judge Bench was informed that the draft service rules—prepared after Full Court approval—had been sent to the Punjab and Haryana governments in April 2019. Despite repeated reminders, final decision had not been taken by either state.

But the process, instead of making progress, came to a halt when the Punjab and Haryana High Court itself went in appeal against Justice Sindhu’s order before a Division Bench. On August 7, 2024, the matter was stayed by the Division Bench headed by Justice Sureshwar Thakur apparently because of difference in opinion with the Single Bench, though it left the door open for the governments to consider approving the draft rules in the meantime.

Subsequently, Justice Sindhu, in a September 4, 2024, order, observed: “It seems that High Court has lost interest in the matter. Adjourned sine die.”

The Division Bench continued with the hearings. On December 5, 2024, it directed that the draft rules for the posts of Court Managers in Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh be finally settled and forwarded to the High Court within a fortnight. The matter was last listed on January 7.

Despite the strong judicial assertions and multiple orders, the posts remain unfilled, underscoring the systemic inertia the Supreme Court appeared to address in its May 2025 directive.

The apex court, while hearing the larger issue of court infrastructure, directed all High Courts to frame or amend existing rules for the appointment of court managers and to submit them to the respective state governments within three months. The apex court Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justice Augustine George Masih and Justice K Vinod Chandran noted concern that court managers were still being appointed on a contractual basis and further directed that existing managers be regularised, subject to a suitability test.

This is not the first time the Supreme Court has flagged the issue. A similar direction was issued as far back as 2018. The posts of court managers were created to assist judges in administrative duties in the High Courts and District Courts. The apex court ruled today that the court managers, Class-II gazetted officers, would be under Registrar-General of High Court and registrar or superintendent in the district court.

Frame/amend rules: SC

The Supreme Court has directed high courts across the country to frame or amend rules for regularisation and appointment of court managers