Requirement That Judicial Officers Must Be Adept At Local Language Is Valid : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday approved the requirements in various States that persons seeking appointment as judicial officers should be conversant with the local language.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra dismissed a petition challenging the condition imposed by the Public Service Commissions of the States of Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha.

The bench observed that the requirement that a person seeking appointment as a judicial officer must be adept in the local language is "valid". The bench pointed out that judicial officers once appointed have to deal with witnesses and evidence in the local language.

Therefore, such a requirement is totally justified, the bench opined. In any case, it was a matter falling within the policy domain, the Court stated while rejecting the Public Interest Litigation.

Case Title : THE LEGAL ATTORNEYS AND BARRISTERS LAW FIRM VS. UNION OF INDIA DIARY NO. - 53141/2023