Lower judiciary not eligible to recruited as district judge: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the members of the subordinate judicial services cannot be considered eligible for appointment as district judges through the way of direct recruitment.
In its verdict, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said: “In the cases where such in service incumbents have been appointed by way of direct recruitment from bar, we find no merit in the petitions and due to dismissal of the writ petitions filed by the judicial officers. As sequel, no fruits can be ripened on the basis of selection without eligibility, they cannot continue as District Judges.”
The top court observed the posts of district judges is limited for lawyers, having a minimum of seven years of experience of continuous practice at the Bar. “Advocate has to be continuing in practice for not less than 7 years as on the cut-off date and at the time of appointment as district judge,” it observed.