Supreme Court Allows Karnataka HC To Proceed With Direct Recruitment Of 158 Civil Judges Ignoring State Govt's Circular

Anmol Kaur Bawa

4 Feb 2025 3:17 PM IST

  • Supreme Court Allows Karnataka HC To Proceed With Direct Recruitment Of 158 Civil Judges Ignoring State Govts Circular

    While hearing the issue of pending vacancies in the district judiciary, the Supreme Court today (February 4) directed the Karnataka High Court to proceed with the selection process of recruiting 158 civil judges irrespective of the state government's circular holding up direct recruitments to the judiciary. The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan was...

    While hearing the issue of pending vacancies in the district judiciary, the Supreme Court today (February 4) directed the Karnataka High Court to proceed with the selection process of recruiting 158 civil judges irrespective of the state government's circular holding up direct recruitments to the judiciary. 

    The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan was informed that the Karnataka Government in its circular dated November 15, 2024, stopped the direct recruitment process by making amendments to reservations under Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment ) (Amendment) Rules 2024. 

    The CJI, in his order, directed that the High Court continue with the selection process as an interim measure only. 

    "Issue notice, and as an interim measure we direct that the process of direct recruitment of 158 civil judges in Karnataka shall continue notwithstanding the circular dated 15.11.24 issued by the State Government. This order is subject to the final outcome/decision on the application" 

    On Residential Accommodations For  Delhi Judicial Officers 

    In 2023, the Land And Development Office (L&DO) of the Union government was directed to take steps to ensure that possession of the vacant area available for the Rouse Avenue Project was handed over to the High Court of Delhi expeditiously by 31 December 2023. This direction was in light of the issue of the construction of residential accommodation for judicial officers. 

    Today, the Court directed the Union to file a status report on the land at 206 Rouse Avenue in New Delhi. 

    "The Union of India will file an affidavit on the correct position and status of the land located at 206 Rouse Avenue, New Delhi. A copy of this order will be sent to the L&DO office. List in the week commencing April 1, 2025."  

    Additionally, the Court also directed the State of Bihar the following: 

    " Issue notice to the government of Bihar, they shall immediately process the request made for the notification of the amended rule 18 of the Bihar Civil Services (Judicial Branch) (Recruitment Rules 1955). If they have any objection to the notification, they must inform the High Court or this Court within the period of 15 days from today." 

    Submissions of the High Courts of Bihar, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, U.P and Delhi will be heard on the next date. 

    Case Details : MALIK MAZHAR SULTAN AND ANR. Versus U.P. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND ORS| C.A. No. 1867/2006

    Click Here To Read/Download Order


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