STATE OF KERALA Vs. RAMESH BHAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The State is in appeal challenging the judgments of two learned Single Judges allowing W.P.(C) Nos.2653/2013,25828 of 2012 and 25854 of 2012. W.P.(C) Nos.25828 of 2012 and 25854 of 2012 are disposed of by a common judgment dated 16.12.2014 while W.P.(C) No.2653 of 2013 has been disposed of by another learned Single Judge as per judgment dated 28.11.2014. Since the issues that arise for consideration are common, these appeals are considered and disposed of together.

(2.) W.A.No.1198 of 2015 is treated as the leading case. The respondents are the writ petitioners.

(3.) The respondents are all Judicial Officers working in the State. They are all persons who have acquired Post Graduate Degrees in Law while in service. The Supreme Court in All India Judges Association Vs. Union of India (2002 (1) KLT OnLine 1009 (SC) = (2002) 4 SCC 247) had issued directions for improvement of the service conditions of Judicial Officers. The directions were issued by the Court upon finding that the recommendations of the Shetty Commission have not been implemented by any of the States other than Delhi and Rajasthan. A direction to implement the report of the Shetty Commission was also issued. As per recommendation No.8.48, three advance increments were directed to be granted to persons having higher qualification like Post Graduation in Law. The said recommendation reads as under:Recommendation By The Commission: