7 months ago
Overworked ahlmads in Delhi courts face extreme stress
Ahlmads are people who keep court records in Delhi.
They have a very tough job because there are too many cases and not enough helpers.
One ahlmad, Harish Singh Mahar, was so stressed that he sadly took his own life.
The ahlmads have to handle thousands of cases every day, answer many questions, and work very long hours.
They also have to prepare reports and answer questions from the public.
There are many empty jobs that need to be filled, but they aren't.
This makes the ahlmads' job even harder.
One ahlmad said she has nightmares about files and would quit if she had a pension.
The number of cases has been going up, but the number of helpers has stayed the same.
Ahlmads in Delhi courts are overworked due to a high number of pending cases and insufficient staff.
Harish Singh Mahar, an ahlmad, died by suicide on January 9, citing work pressure.
The ahlmad interviewed has 34,500 pending cases and handles around 300 cases daily.
There are 733 vacant posts out of 4,011 sanctioned posts for ahlmads, assistant ahlmads, and readers.
The number of pending cases in Delhi's district courts has increased from 4.7 lakh in 2005 to 16 lakh in 2026.
- Who
- Ahlmads (court record keepers) in Delhi courts
- What
- Extreme workload and stress leading to mental health issues and suicide
- Where
- Delhi courts, particularly Saket courts complex
- When
- Ongoing issue, with recent suicide on January 9
- Why
- Increased number of pending cases and insufficient staff
Key facts
- Pending Cases
- 34,500 in her court, 16 lakh in Delhi's district courts
- Daily Cases Handled
- 300 per day per digital traffic court
- Vacant Posts
- 733 out of 4,011 sanctioned posts
- Stenographer Shortage
- 400 out of 1,600 posts vacant
- Daily Cases Heard
- 26,000 by 700 trial court judges
Quotes
An unnamed ahlmad
A middle-aged ahlmad working in a Delhi court who declined to be identified for the report.
“I have nightmares about files… I can’t even sleep properly.”
indianexpress.com
“Pehle log government job ke liye marte the, ab government job ko paane ke baad mar rahe hain (People would die for a government job, but now they’re dying literally.).”
indianexpress.com



