LAWS(SC)-2025-2-118

SARITA CHOUDHARY Vs. HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH

Decided On February 28, 2025
Sarita Choudhary Appellant
V/S
HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Introduction: The careers of two women Judicial Officers out of six have to be decided in these writ petitions filed by them as well as in Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No.2 of 2023. Out of six women Judicial Officers who were terminated from service during their probation period, four Judicial Officers have been reinstated pursuant to the resolution of the Full Court of the respondent- Madhya Pradesh High Court dtd. 1/8/2024 on certain terms. However, insofar as two Judicial Officers, namely, Ms. Sarita Choudhary and Ms. Aditi Kumar Sharma, there has been no revocation of the earlier resolution and consequently, their termination under challenge in these writ petitions have to be decided by this Court.

(2.) On 23/5/2023, six women Judicial Officers serving in the State of Madhya Pradesh (Civil Judges, Junior Division) were terminated on the recommendation of the Administrative Committee of High Court of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier that month, the Administrative Committees of the High Court had met on 8/5/2023 and 10/5/2023 for shortlisting of officers for confirmation of judicial officers on probation. The shortlist were then recommended to the Full Court of the High Court for confirmation. On 13/5/2023, the High Court issued an order confirming a list of 403 Judicial Officers and recommending termination of services, inter alia, of the petitioners herein. On the basis of the aforesaid order issued by the High Court, the termination order(s) in respect of, inter alia, the petitioners herein were passed on 23/5/2023, thereby, discharging the petitioners from their duties.

(3.) We find it necessary to briefly enumerate the facts relevant to the career trajectory and service details of the two petitioners and other necessary facts relevant to the present adjudication.