Hriday Shah
On 21st January 2025, the Supreme Court of India urged High Court judges to promptly record the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of judicial officers to ensure that they do not miss out on promotion opportunities. The Court also emphasized the need for appellate committees in High Courts to address judicial officers’ representations regarding ACRs without delay.
A bench consisting of Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice A.G. Masih, and Justice K. Vinod Chandran issued these directives in the case, observing that delays in finalizing ACRs are causing setbacks for many judicial officers.
Senior Advocate and Amicus Curiae K. Paremeshwar informed the bench that in several High Courts, certain judges fail to record ACRs for judicial officers on time. Additionally, appellate forums, typically composed of High Court judges’ committees, often take years to resolve representations from judicial officers seeking changes or clarifications in their ACRs. These delays prevent judicial officers from being considered for promotions.
In light of these issues, the bench ordered the Chief Justices of High Courts to ensure that judges promptly record ACRs and that the appellate committees expeditiously resolve pending representations, safeguarding the officers’ promotional prospects.
Case Title: All India Judicial Association v Union of India
Diary No.: W.P.(C) No. 643/2015
Bench: Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice A.G. Masih, and Justice K. Vinod Chandran