Go ahead with 158 civil judges appointments: SC to Karnataka HC
New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Karnataka High Court to proceed with the recruitment of 158 civil judges despite a state government circular prohibiting it.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan passed the direction after being informed that the state government issued a circular in November, last year halting the direct recruitment process by making changes to reservations under the Karnataka Judicial Service (Recruitment ) (Amendment) Rules 2024.
"Issue notice, and as an interim measure we direct that the process of direct recruitment of 158 civil judges in Karnataka shall continue notwithstanding the circular …issued by the state government. This order is subject to the final outcome/decision on the application," it said.
The CJI said the total sanctioned strength of judges in subordinate judiciary had risen from 21,000 to 29,000 in the country and the states, where the numbers rose significantly, would have to bear more expenses and increase the spending to meet the demand.
On the issue of residential accommodations for Delhi judicial officers, the bench directed the Land And Development Office (L&DO) of the Centre to file an affidavit detailing the present status of land at 206, Rouse Avenue in the national capital.
"The Union of India will file an affidavit on the correct position and status of the land located at 206 Rouse Avenue, New Delhi. A copy of this order will be sent to the L&DO office. List in the week commencing April 1, 2025," it said.
The bench was hearing a 2006 plea related to the filling up of vacancies in the district judiciary and other issues including lack of infrastructural facilities in the country.
The bench would deal with the issues faced by the district judiciary in Bihar, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, UP and Delhi on the next hearing.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
