$~20 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010131262024 + W.P.(C) 3841/2024 CHANDER PRAKASH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Archit Upadhayay and Mr. Arpit Tripathi, Advs. versus GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS .....Respondents Through: Ms. Vaishali Gupta, Panel Counsel for GNCTD with Mr. Shaurya Tyagi, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA O R D E R % 01.09.2026 1. By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks following reliefs: “a. Issue a Writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondents to pay the due wages of the petitioner for the period (18.09.2019 to 15.07.2021) i.e. 662 days as unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled as upgraded from time to time for which petitioner worked as Sahayak in jail hospital, Jail No. 03; and b. Direct the respondents to engage the petitioner again on work so that he can earn and help his family; and” 2. An updated status report has been filed on behalf of the respondents. 3. Arguments have been heard and the status report has been perused. 4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner drew this Court’s attention to Rule 96 (7) of Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018, which reads as under: This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 07/09/2026 at 14:02:50 “He shall ensure that there is proper classification of labour amongst the prisoner which should be of three types i.e. Skilled, Semi skilled and unskilled. All the new entrants shall be classified as unskilled workers and their cases for transfer to semi skilled category should be taken up after getting three months experience. Recommendation from the Supervisor that he has attained some skill should also be obtained. Similarly, a semi- skilled worker shall be classified as skilled worker. A new entrant shall be required to have more than six months experience to be eligible for classification as skilled worker after following above procedure. These criteria will however not apply in cases where a prisoner has attained skilled or semi-skilled status because of his outside working experience;” 5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, it is directed that the present writ petition be treated as a representation on behalf of the petitioner and be decided by the Competent Authority within a period of six weeks, as per Rule 96 (7) of Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018 and also give reasons for denying the petitioner wages for the weekly off or any other holidays. 6. With these directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. 7. In case of any further grievance, the petitioner is at liberty to approach this Court by way of filing a fresh writ petition. 8. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J SEPTEMBER 01, 2026/A/VS This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 07/09/2026 at 14:02:50