The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Court decides to change method of appointing district judges

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 08, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Court decides to change method of appointing district judges

Mohamed Imranullah S.

In accordance with Supreme Court verdict in All India Judges Association case in 2002

MADURAI: The Madras High Court has, in principle, decided to change the method of appointing district judges (entry level) in accordance with a Supreme Court judgment in the All India Judges Association case in 2002.

The new method stipulates that 25 per cent of the district judge vacancies shall be filled from among subordinate judicial officers, irrespective of their seniority, strictly on the basis of merit through competitive examination and interview. At present, the vacancies are being filled by direct recruitment as well as promoting subordinate judicial officers on the basis of seniority provided such officers do not have any adverse reports such as involvement in a corruption case and so on. Implementing the new mode of appointment would lead to 50 per cent of the vacancies being filled through promotions on the basis of seniority, 25 per cent on the basis of merit and the rest by direct recruitment from among qualified lawyers.

The Supreme Court felt that there should be an incentive among the relatively junior officers to improve and compete with each other so as to excel and get quicker promotions. All High Courts were asked to frame necessary rules in this regard.

Subsequently, the matter was examined by the Administrative Committee (comprising senior judges) of the Madras High Court. The report of the committee was placed before the Full Court (all judges) meeting held on July 21 in Chennai.

According to the minutes of the Full Court meeting, “It is resolved to accept the report of the Committee subject to the decision regarding implementation to be taken by the Administrative Committee.” According to sources, the committee is yet to decide on implementing the 50:25:25 ratio either on the basis of number of vacancies available or on the basis of overall strength of district judges in the State.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu