VASANT KHELA SARAK Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith and with the consent of the learned counsels for parties, heard finally.

(2.) The petitioners, who are working on the establishment of this Court as 'Personal Assistants', have filed this petition taking exception to the prescription of shorthand test, as a selection criteria, for promotion to the post of 'Private Secretary' to the Judges of this Court.

(3.) Before institution of this petition, the petitioners had submitted a representation to the High Court Administration on 3rd September 2018 for dispensing with shorthand test for promotion to the post of Private Secretary to the Judges. The High Court Administration, by communication dated 11th February 2019, informed the petitioners that the representation dated 3rd September 2018 was considered by the Administrative Judges' Committee in its meeting held on 23rd January 2019, and it has been decided to reject the said representation. The petitioners have, thus, assailed the said communication, dated 11th February 2019 and have sought a declaration that Rule 13 of the High Court Appellate Side Service Rules, 2000 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Service Rules, 2000') does not envisage holding of a shorthand test, and a consequential direction to the High Court Administration that the petitioners be promoted to the post of Private Secretary without conducting shorthand/typing test.