Taking a serious view of non-representation on behalf of the Madras High Court and the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission in a case dealing with the appointment of a civil judge, the Supreme Court has directed the High Court Registrar General and the Secretary, TNPSC, to be present in court on October 17 for rendering assistance.
A Bench of Justice D.K. Jain and Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya gave this direction on a special leave petition filed by R. Manjula against a Madras High Court order rejecting her plea for appointment to the post of civil judge (junior division).
In its interim order, the Bench took note of the fact that no one had represented the High Court and the TNPSC and said, “In the interest of justice one final opportunity is granted to respondent No. 1 (State of Tamil Nadu) to file counter affidavit within three weeks.”
The Bench said: “We regret to note that despite service appearance has not been entered on behalf of respondent Nos. 2 & 3. Under the circumstances, we direct the Registrar General of the Madras High Court at Chennai and the Secretary to the TNPSC to appear in this court in person along with the relevant records on October 17 in order to assist us in passing appropriate orders in the case.”
Ms. Manjula was aggrieved over the non-selection even though she was entitled to be appointed civil judge as she was placed in the reserve list in general category at serial No. 5 and backward community (women) category at serial No.3.
She stated that the State of Tamil Nadu had failed to appreciate the fact that of the 201 vacancies notified only 191 candidates had joined. The remaining 10 vacancies were left unoccupied and she was entitled to be appointed.
After the High Court rejected her petition, she filed the present appeal for a direction that she might be considered for appointment to the post of civil judge.
