The Supreme Court has granted permission to the Karnataka High Court to notify appointments of Judicial Officers in the Civil Judge cadre after being informed that the entire selection process has concluded and only the declaration of results remains.
The matter was taken up in the long-pending proceedings of Malik Mazhar Sultan v. U.P. Public Service Commission & Ors., Civil Appeal No. 1867 of 2006, wherein continuous directions have been issued over the years to streamline recruitment and fill vacancies in the district judiciary across the country.
Bench Details
The case was heard by a Bench comprising:
- Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- Justice Vipul Pancholi
Upon being apprised that the Karnataka Civil Judge selection process had reached its final stage, the Bench recorded:
“IA Allowed. The High Court is at liberty to notify the appointment of Judicial Officers Civil Judge.”
The order clears the immediate administrative hurdle and enables the High Court to formally notify the appointments without further delay.
Background: Earlier Directions Regarding 158 Posts
In February 2025, the Supreme Court had already directed the Karnataka High Court to proceed with the recruitment process for 158 Civil Judge posts, notwithstanding a State Government circular dated November 15, 2024.
The circular had effectively stalled direct recruitment by introducing amendments to reservations under the Karnataka Judicial Service Recruitment Amendment Rules, 2024.
At that stage, the Bench comprised:
- CJI Sanjiv Khanna
- Justice Sanjay Kumar
- Justice K V Viswanathan
The Court had made it clear that the recruitment process should not be impeded due to administrative or executive circulars when judicial vacancies remain pressing.
Madras High Court Raises Concern Over Vacancies
During the same hearing, an application was made on behalf of the Madras High Court, highlighting a concerning vacancy position in the district judiciary.
It was submitted that in the past five years, only eight direct recruits had been appointed while forty-seven vacancies presently remain unfilled.
Taking note of the submission, the Supreme Court agreed to list the matter in the first week of April for further consideration.
Judicial Vacancies
The proceedings in Malik Mazhar Sultan have consistently focused on addressing systemic delays caused by unfilled judicial posts.
Trial courts form the backbone of the justice delivery system and prolonged vacancies significantly affect pendency levels and litigant access to timely adjudication.
The present order is therefore administratively significant as it removes uncertainty surrounding the Karnataka Civil Judge recruitment and reinforces the Court’s continuing supervisory jurisdiction over judicial service appointments nationwide.
Case Details
- Case Title: Malik Mazhar Sultan v. U.P. Public Service Commission through its Secretary & Ors.
- Case Number: Civil Appeal No. 1867 of 2006
Present Bench
- CJI Surya Kant
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- Justice Vipul Pancholi
Earlier Related Bench Direction
- CJI Sanjiv Khanna
- Justice Sanjay Kumar
- Justice K V Viswanathan
Parties
- Appellant: Malik Mazhar Sultan
- Respondent: U.P. Public Service Commission through its Secretary and Others
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