The Supreme Court has issued directions to fill in a time-bound manner 327 vacancies, around 23 percent of the sanctioned strength of 1369 judicial officers, in the district judiciary of Tamil Nadu.
Pronouncing the verdict on November 9, the Bench of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra fixed separate timelines for filling up vacant posts in the three cadres of District Judge, Senior Civil Judge and Junior Civil Judge in the state.
Perusing the report furnished by the Madras High Court’s Registrar General about unfilled vacancies in the district judiciary, the Bench noted that in the cadre of District Judge, out of the sanctioned strength of 349, there were 84 vacancies. The counsel indicated that two more vacancies were being added, making a total of 86 vacancies.
It noted that in the cadre of Senior Civil Judge, out of a sanctioned strength of 364, there were 77 vacancies, while in the cadre of Junior Civil Judge, out of the sanctioned strength of 656, there were 166 vacancies, it added.
The Apex Court was apprised that with regard to Junior Civil Judge, there were 245 vacancies. The main written examination was held on November 4 and 5, 2023 and the viva-voce would be held on December 11, 2023.
The Bench directed that the process should be concluded positively on or before December 31, adding that appointment orders should be issued before the end of February 2024.
It took in view the fact that the process for filling up vacancies in the cadre of senior civil judge was awaiting filling up vacancies in the cadre of Junior Civil Judges in view of the large number of vacancies in the feeder cadre.
Regarding the cadre of District Judges, the report said that in 25 percent Direct Recruitment, 50 vacancies were advertised and the preliminary examination had been concluded. The main written examination was scheduled to take place on December 2 and 3, 2023 and the viva-voce was to take place on January 21, 2024.
The Apex Court directed that the entire selection process be concluded no later than by March 31, 2024.
The Bench further took in view the fact that in the District Judge 65 percent Promotion Cadre, though there were 17 vacancies, the same had not been filled up immediately due to vacancies in the feeder cadre.
The Bench directed the Tamil Nadu High Court to take expeditious steps after filling of vacancies in the feeder cadre.
The top court of the country told the Counsel to meet the Registrar General of the High Court and the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to facilitate due and proper steps being taken on the infrastructural issues pertaining the District Judiciary, including the allotment of suitable land as may be identified by the High Court by the concerned Collectors/District Magistrates.
The Bench sought a report on the same by December 7, 2023.
The Apex Court, while perusing the report regarding Puducherry, noted that on October 19, 2023, a list of 15 candidates selected had been forwarded to the Chief Secretary. It ordered the notification of appointment on or before December 31, 2023.
The Apex Court further directed that the counsel for Puducherry and the High Court would meet the Registrar General and the Chief Secretary on infrastructural issues pertaining to the District Judiciary, including the allotment of suitable land, and submit a report to the court on or before December 7, 2023.
The matter related to the appointment and infrastructure of the district courts arising out of a civil appeal in case of Malik Mazhar Sultan for the States of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Kerala was listed for next hearing on November 24.
(Case title: Malik Mazhar Sultan & Anr vs UP Public Service Commission Through its Secretary & Ors)