M KARUNANITHI Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU, CHAIRMAN, TAMIL NADU PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND SECRETARY, TAMIL NADU HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner has come forward to challenge the notification issued by the second Respondent, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission vide advertisement dated 30.07.2009 insofar as it relates to the recruitment of Executive Officer Grade-I in the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Department.

(2.) The grievance of the Petitioner was that the said notification fixed the minimum age as completion of 30 years for all candidates and in respect of maximum age it prescribes 35 years and in case of reserved categories it prescribes for certain higher age. The Petitioner has obtained a B.L. degree from the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University and he was also a practicing lawyer. At the time of filing of writ petition, he was 25 years age and therefore, he challenges the prescription of minimum age as 30 years as unconstitutional and arbitrary.

(3.) It is the case of the Petitioner that in other services, the minimum age is prescribed as 21 and it was arbitrary on the part of the Respondents to fix 30 years as minimum age and the same is violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.