The Supreme Court has put on hold a Madras High Court ruling that annulled the selection of 17 Personal Assistants (PAs) to its judges due to alleged irregularities. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stayed the High Court’s decision following a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the judgment issued on July 1. The apex court has scheduled a hearing for August 14 and granted an interim stay on the disputed ruling.
According to the Supreme Court’s official website, the case status indicates that the matter will be listed for a hearing on August 14. The Madras High Court’s decision was based on a petition regarding irregularities in the recruitment process for Personal Assistants to its judges. The High Court found that the selection process violated rules by allowing candidates without the required qualifications to participate and later be selected after relaxation of eligibility criteria.
The High Court criticized the recruitment process for allowing over-aged and under-qualified candidates to participate and be selected after relaxation of rules. It highlighted issues during the skill test, including alleged assistance to candidates during the transcription test. The court also noted that candidates who scored zero marks in transcription were selected, raising concerns about the fairness and merit of the selection process.
