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 man missing in Bangkok

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Assam floods kill 12, hit over 6 lakh; CM Sarma calls wetland collapse a warning sign

Guwahati, June 4: Assam’s flood crisis worsened on Tuesday...

Bengaluru turn into roaring sea of red after RCB’s maiden IPL victory

Bengaluru, Jun 4: The moment Josh Hazlewood finished delivering...

RCB and Kohli break 18-year jinx with maiden IPL title

Ahmedabad, Jun 4: Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Virat Kohli...

KHADC terminates 13, revokes regularisation of 30 employees  

Previous NPP-led EC never complained of financial crisis: Affected...

CM proposes film institute in state 

‘Film festivals to be held across state, not just...

Mother app helped reduce MMR in state: CM

Shillong, June 3: Use of technology in flagship programmes...

Rajasthan govt employee arrested for spying for Pak

Jaipur, Jun 3: A Rajasthan government employee who was...

Punjab Kings restrict RCB to 190/9 in IPL final

Ahmedabad, Jun 3: Royal Challengers Bengaluru huffed and puffed...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img