ANJU MEERA BIRLA Vs. HIGH COURT OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners who are judicial officers claim that they are entitled to be considered for appointment to the post of District and Session Judges in the Kerala State Higher Judicial service by direct recruitment.

(2.) As per Ext.P1 notification dated 21.11.2017, the High Court of Kerala invited on-line applications for appointment to the post of District and Sessions Judges under the Kerala State Higher Judicial Service by direct recruitment from the Bar. The qualification prescribed under clause 6(f) of Ext P1 is the following:

(3.) The District and Sessions Judge (including Additional District and Sessions Judge) comes under category 2 of the Special Rules for Kerala Higher Judicial Service Rules, as per Rule 2 thereof. Appointment to category (2) shall be made by transfer from category 1, Subordinate Judges/Chief Judicial Magistrates of the Kerala Judicial Service or by direct recruitment from the Bar. Rule 3 of the Special Rules provides for the qualifications. clause (f) thereof provides as follows: