‘Blind people can also become judges…’, Supreme Court’s decision, rejected these rules
The Supreme Court, while giving its verdict on Monday, March 3, 2025, said that visually impaired people cannot be denied employment opportunities in judicial services. The court has given its verdict, striking down a rule of Madhya Pradesh Judicial Service.
The court gave its verdict
A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, on December 3, 2024 last year, reserved its verdict on 6 petitions, including a suo motu case, regarding non-reservation of visually impaired or blind people in judicial services in some states.
There should be no discrimination against the disabled
Justice Mahadevan, while giving his verdict, said that there should be no discrimination of any kind against disabled people during recruitment in judicial service. The government should take positive steps for them to ensure an inclusive framework. Justice said, ‘Whether it is through cut off or due to procedural hurdles. Any kind of indirect discrimination that results in deprivation of opportunity to the disabled should be intervened so that fundamental equality can be maintained.’
Rules were cancelled
The verdict said that no candidate can be denied opportunity only because of his disability. The apex court also cancelled some rules of Madhya Pradesh Service Examination Rules 1994, under which visually impaired and low vision candidates were barred from entering the judicial service. These petitions were related to the validity of rule 6A and seven of the Madhya Pradesh Rules. The verdict said that PWD (Divyang) candidates participating in the selection process are entitled to be considered for judicial service selection in the light of the decision and if they are eligible, they can be appointed to the vacant posts.
