SC notice to HC registry on higher judicial exam

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday sought the response of the Kerala high court Registry on a plea challenging the selection process to the state's higher judicial service.

A bench comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and R Bhanumathi issued notice to the high court Registry on a plea filed by some unsuccessful candidates of the Kerala higher judicial services examination.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the candidates, submitted that the process of selection to the posts of District and Sessions Judges was highly arbitrary, unfair and contrary to Article 14, 15, 16 and 21 of the Constitution.

During the hearing, the bench asked Venugopal as to whether the high court was seized of similar petitions.

The senior advocate, on instructions, informed the bench that no such plea was pending in the high court.

The plea alleged that the notification of the high court provided that the selection process would consist the written and oral examinations.

The final list of successful candidates was to be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in both these examinations, it said adding that the high court did not follow the notification and decided to allow only those candidates, who have scored 50 per cent in the written exam, to take part in the viva voce.