New Delhi, Mar 22 (FN Bureau) The Supreme Court on Thursday registered a suo motu case against the exclusion of visually impaired candidates from applying for appointment in the state judicial services as per the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services (Recruitment and Service Conditions) Rules. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud passed the order after taking cognisance of a letter from the mother of a visually impaired candidate who is a judicial service aspirant. The judges took note of the fact that about 21,000 candidates participated in the preliminary examinations. Forms for final examinations are to be filled on March 23, with exams on March 30 and 31, and issued the notice to the Secretary General of Madhya Pradesh High Court, the State of Madhya Pradesh, and the Union of India. The preliminary examinations were conducted by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 14, and the visually impaired were exempted from applying. The CJI clarified that their order would only cover those who wrote prelims and who fulfilled the benchmark disability for reservation. The CJI said, “This court is cognizant of the fact that no reservation has been contemplated for the visually impaired. Bearing in mind the interest of justice, we are inclined to pass the following interim directions”.
The CJI directed that such visually impaired candidates who have received the benchmark marks in their respective categories in their preliminary examinations are permitted to send an email with details and certificates of fulfilling benchmark disability by 10 p.m. on March 23, 2024. The High Court should then examine the case and let the candidates write the exam without insisting on any extra forms for such candidates. Their selection will be subject to the outcome of the present proceedings without any prejudice to their rights and contentions, the CJI said. The CJI directed the Madhya Pradesh government that due publicity be given to this order through websites and newspapers. The High Court shall also send WhatsApp messages, given the absence of reservations, to all the visually impaired who wrote the prelims and fulfilled benchmark disability, the court said. The MP High Court shall, in addition to the above, permit a scribe for the visually impaired candidates who will appear for the main exam, and they should also be given additional time of 20 minutes per hour. The CJI further directed that no hindrance should be caused to the remaining candidates. The emails should specify specific accommodations needed, including lights and lamps. Senior Advocate Gaurav Agrawal was appointed Amicus Curiae by the court in this case. The Madhya Pradesh (MP) standing counsel is also to be served notice along with the central agency (the Department of Empowerment), The Court directed.