Visually impaired persons cannot be denied opportunity to join judicial services: SC

New Delhi, Mar 3: In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday held that visually impaired persons cannot be denied opportunity of employment in judicial services.

A bench comprising justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had reserved the judgement on six petitions, including a suo motu (on its own) case, on December 3, last year over non-grant of quota to such candidates in judicial services in a few states.

Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Mahadevan said that persons with disabilities must not face any discrimination in their pursuit of judicial service recruitments and that the State must provide them affirmative action to ensure an inclusive framework.

“Any indirect discrimination that results in the exclusion of persons with disabilities, whether through cutoff or procedural barriers must be interfered with in order to uphold substantive equality,” the judge said.

The judgement said no candidate can be denied consideration solely on account of their disability.

The top court also set aside certain rules of the Madhya Pradesh Services Examination (Recruitment and Conditions of Services) Rules 1994 to the extent they barred visually impaired and low vision candidates from entering the judicial service.

The pleas pertained to the validity of Rule 6A and 7 of the Madhya Pradesh rules.

The PWD (persons with the disabilities) candidates, who had participated in the selection process, are entitled to be considered for judicial service selection in the light of the judgment, and they can be appointed in the vacant posts if they are otherwise eligible, the judgement said.

The detailed judgement is awaited.

On November 7, last year, the bench issued several directions ensuring equitable opportunities for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) in judicial services across the country. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Anil Ambani appears before ED in bank loan ‘fraud’ linked PMLA case

New Delhi, Aug 5: Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani...

Child marriage remains concern in Tripura, Sepahijala tops with 103 cases in 3 months

Agartala, Aug 5: Tripura's Sepahijala district has reported the...

Pollution boards can impose environmental damages, says SC

New Delhi, Aug 5: In a significant verdict, the...

DRDO guest house manager held on suspicion of spying for Pakistan

Jaipur, Aug 5: Manager of a Defence Research and...

Top-seeded Zverev beats defending champ Popyrin to reach semifinals in Toronto

Toronto, Aug 5: Top-seeded Alexander Zverev rallied to defeat...

Canadian teenager Mboko reaches semifinals in Montreal and will face Rybakina

Montreal, Aug 5: Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko advanced to...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories