New Delhi, Jan. 14 -- The Delhi High Court declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking extension of benefits under the Chief Minister's Advocates Welfare Scheme to eligible lawyers' dependent parents, observing that a writ of mandamus cannot be issued to compel the State to modify the terms of a welfare scheme.

The Court held that the framing and scope of such schemes are matters of policy and rest within the executive domain. It also underlined the principle of autonomy to contract between two parties, including the State, noting that courts cannot rewrite eligibility conditions through judicial directions.

The petition had assailed the exclusion of dependent parents from the definition of "family" under the scheme...