SC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Exclusion of Visually Impaired in MP’s Judicial Service

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance on Thursday regarding Madhya Pradesh’s judicial services rule, which excludes visually impaired candidates from seeking appointment in the state’s judicial service.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud led the bench, which converted a letter petition into a suo motu cognizance petition.

Notices were issued to the Centre, Secretary General of the MP High Court, and the Madhya Pradesh state. Additionally, Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal was appointed as the amicus curiae by the court.

The matter has been titled “In Re: Recruitment of Visually Impaired in Judicial Services.”

A letter addressed to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud highlighted the exclusionary provision in the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services Examination (Recruitment and Conditions of Services) Rule 1994, which bars visually impaired individuals from seeking appointments in the judicial service.

The court noted that this provision was amended, resulting in the complete exclusion of visually impaired candidates from seeking appointments to the judicial service.