The Supreme Court has issued directions regarding laying down the time schedule for the recruitment of District Judges in the High Courts of Madhya Pradesh and Punjab & Haryana.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra passed the directions on Monday.
The Apex Court noted that in August this year, 21 vacancies were advertised for direct recruitment of District Judges under the 25 percent quota in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. However, the date of preliminary examination was notified for the same after two months.
The Bench directed the High Court to frame a detailed schedule within a week and publish the same in an advertisement.
It said the Schedule must include completion of the assessment of the preliminary examination answer sheets and declaration of results; dates for the written examination, for the assessment of answer sheets and for the declaration of results; dates for conducting interviews; and notification of the Select List for appointment.
Regarding appointment under the 10 percent quota, the Apex Court ordered that notification for appointment of the successful candidate shall be issued within 15 days of this order.
The process for filling up vacancies for the Civil Judge (Senior Division) shall be completed by December 7, 2023, it added.
In this respect also, the Bench directed to lay down the time schedule for completion of the process and said the same deadline was also prescribed for selection process under the promotion quota.
The Apex Court directed the Counsel representing the MP High Court to file a report pertaining to the steps being taken on the infrastructural issues for the District Judiciary, including the allotment of land.
Regarding the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, the Court at first passed the directions for appointments under 25 percent direct recruitment quota (District Judges) in Punjab.
It directed the Recruitment and Promotion Committee to frame a schedule for the completion of process at the earliest. In any event, the process shall be complied with by March 31, 2004.
The Apex Court directed the completion of process regarding appointment under 10 percent quota by March 31, 2024.
The same timeline was provided for appointment under 65 percent 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 7, 2023.
Regarding the issue of infrastructure, a similar direction as passed to the Madhya Pradesh High Court was passed here as well.
The Court noted that a meeting of the Committee of the High Court was scheduled to take place. In view of the same, it passed directions to inform the Court regarding the decisions taken.
With respect to appointment under the 65 percent promotional quota for District Judges in Haryana, considering that petitions filed by the candidates were already listed before the High Court on November 8, the Apex Court directed to be informed about the status quo during the next listing.
Addressing the recruitment of Civil Judge (Junior Division), the top court of the country was informed about the amendment rules to be issued on November 7.
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 vs UP Public Service Commission through its Secretary & Ors)