Supreme Court Passes Slew Of Directions To High Courts Of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab And Haryana For Recruitment In District Judiciary

The Supreme Court (on Monday) passed a slew of directions with respect to the High Courts of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, for laying down the time schedule regarding the recruitment of District Judges in these High Court. However, the matter pertaining to the High Court of Tamil Nadu is listed tomorrow along with other applications.

The matter was placed before the Bench of Justices Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

With respect to the Madhya Pradesh, the Court noted that on August 2023, 21 vacancies were advertised for direct recruitment of District Judges in the 25% quota. It was also pointed while the advertisement was issued, however, the date of preliminary examination was notified after two months. In this backdrop, the Court asked the High Court to frame detailed schedule and publish the same in an advertisement. This schedule, inter-alia, will also include the date of preliminary examination and consequential stages. The Court directed that the same shall be complied with within one week.

For Convenience, the Schedule will encompass:

1. Completing the assessment of the preliminary examination answer sheets and declaration of results;
2. The dates for the written examination, for the assessment of answer sheets and for the declaration of results;
3. The dates for conducting interviews; and
4. Notifying the Select List for appointment.

Further, with respect to appointment under 10% quota, the Court ordered that notification for appointment of the successful candidate shall be issued within fifteen days of this order.

It was also directed that the process for filling up the vacancies for Civil Judge (Senior Division) shall be completed by December 7, 2023. In this respect also, the Court was directed to lay down the time schedule for completion of process.

Pertinently, the same deadline was also prescribed for selection process under promotion quota.

Lastly, the Court directed the counsel, representing High Court, to file a report pertaining to the steps being taken on the infrastructural issues for the District Judiciary. This shall also include the allotment of land.

High Court of Punjab and Haryana

Punjab

Adverting to the High Court of Punjab, the Court at first passed the directions for appointments under 25% direct recruitment quota (District Judges). Thereby, the Court directed the Recruitment and Promotion Committee (Committee) to frame a schedule for the completion of process at the earliest. It clarified that that in any event the same shall be complied with by March 31, 2004.

Regarding appointment under 10% quota, the Court directed the completion of process by March 31, 2024. The same timeline was provided for the appointment under 65% promotional quota.

However, for the recruitment of Civil Judge (Junior Division), the Court noted that the process has been completed and thus, directed the State Government to a formal notification by December 07, 2023.

As far as the issue of infrastructure is concerned, the similar direction (passed to the M.P HC) was passed here as well.

Haryana

The Court noted that a meeting of the Committee of the High Court is scheduled to take place today itself. In view of the same, it passed directions to inform the Court regarding the decisions taken.

With respect to appointment under 65% promotional quota for District Judges, considering that petitions filed by the candidates were already listed before the High Court (on November 08), the Court directed to be informed about the status quo during next listing.

Lastly, while addressing the recruitment of Civil Judge (Junior Division), the Court was informed about the amendment rules to be issued on the same day (November 07). In this backdrop, the Court ordered the High Court to act accordingly and frame the schedule for completion of the process.

Case Title: MALIK MAZHAR SULTAN & ANR. V. U.P. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION THROUGH ITS SECRETARY & ORS., Civil Appeal No(s).1867/2006

Click here to read the order