Shayan Sachin Basu vs The State Of West Bengal & Ors on 20 May, 2026

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    Calcutta High Court (Appellete Side)

    Shayan Sachin Basu vs The State Of West Bengal & Ors on 20 May, 2026

    Author: Saugata Bhattacharyya

    Bench: Saugata Bhattacharyya

                         IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
                           CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION
                                   APPELLATE SIDE
    
    BEFORE : HON'BLE JUSTICE SAUGATA BHATTACHARYYA
    
                                  W.P.A. 27328 of 2025
    
                                SHAYAN SACHIN BASU
                                        VS.
                          THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL & ORS.
    
    For the Petitioner        : Mr. Shuvro Prakash Lahiri, Advocate
                                Mr. Rajesh Naskar, Advocate
                                Mr. Ranit Mukherjee, Advocate
                                Mr. Ankan Mondal, Advocate
    
    For the State             : Mr. Vivekananda Bose, Advocate
                                Ms. Mousumi Banerjee, Advocate
    
    For the PSC               : Ms. Piyali Sengupta, Advocate
                                Mr. Victor Chatterjee, Advocate
                                Mr. Pramitava Nath, Advocate
                                Ms. Shreya Bhattacharjee, Advocate
    For the High Court
    Administration            : Mr. Debashis Banerjee, Advocate
                                Mr. Rakesh Jana, Advocate
    
    Hearing concluded on      : 12th May, 2026
    
    Judgment on               : 20th May, 2026
    
    
    Saugata Bhattacharyya, J.:
    

    1. Petitioner is an eligible candidate for offering his candidature in West

    Bengal Judicial Service Examination (for short ‘WBJS Examination’), 2023

    SPONSORED

    and 2024 presented this writ petition, inter alia, praying for direction to

    incorporate three years practice as an advocate being an eligibility criterion

    for being considered to be appointed as Civil Judge (Junior Division) in West
    2

    Bengal Judicial Service. According to petitioner, incorporation of eligibility

    criterion of having practice of three years or more as an advocate is required

    in terms of the judgment of the Supreme Court dated 20 th May, 2025 passed

    in All India Judges Association & Others vs. Union of India & Others.

    2. Mr. Shuvro Prakash Lahiri, learned advocate representing the petitioner

    submits that for WBJS Examination, 2023 and WBJS Examination, 2024,

    first an indicative advertisement no. 19/2023 dated 28 th December, 2023

    and another advertisement being no. 09/2024 dated 7 th December, 2024

    were issued by the concerned authority of Public Service Commission, West

    Bengal (for short ‘Commission’). Final advertisements were issued for WBJS

    Examination 2023 and 2024 on 13 th August, 2025 by the Commission being

    advertisement nos. 19/2023 and 09/2024 respectively.

    3. It was pointed out on behalf of petitioner that one of the requisite

    qualifications for offering candidature in WBJS Examinations 2023 and

    2024 is his/her enrolment as an advocate in the roll of Bar Council of any

    State or Union Territory in India on the date of advertisement but it is not

    stipulated therein that the candidate is required to have practiced three

    years or more as an advocate which is contrary to the judgment of the

    Supreme Court delivered in All India Judges Association (supra). In this

    regard, reliance is placed on paragraphs 89(vii), 89(viii), 89(ix) and 89(x) of

    All India Judges Association (supra). It was submitted absence of

    eligibility criterion of minimum three years practice as an advocate in the

    advertisements dated 13th August, 2025 for holding WBJS Examinations
    3

    2023 and 2024 vitiated the process requiring the concerned respondent

    authorities to initiate fresh selection process by publishing advertisements

    taking note of the observations as contained in All India Judges

    Association (supra).

    4. It was also argued that indicative advertisements dated 28 th December,

    2023 for WBJS Examination, 2023 and subsequent advertisement dated 7 th

    December, 2024 for holding WBJS Examination, 2024 are not the formal

    advertisements marking initiation of selection process for filling up the post

    of Civil Judge (Junior Division). According to petitioner, without disclosing

    requisite eligibility criteria if advertisements are made that may not be

    treated as formal advertisements requiring the recruiting authority to

    publish detailed advertisement stipulating eligibility criteria which may be

    construed as commencement of selection process. In the present case

    advertisements dated 13th August, 2025 for both the selection processes i.e.

    WBJS Examination, 2023 and WBJS Examination, 2024 need to be

    regarded as formal advertisements marking commencement of selection

    process.

    5. It was also contended in Sikkim and Telangana first rules relating to

    judicial service examination were amended and then selection process

    commenced. In State of West Bengal it was argued that in terms of the

    judgment in All India Judges Association (supra) rules relating to judicial

    examination for filling up the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) were

    required to be amended prior to initiation of selection process.
    4

    6. According to the petitioner in All India Judges Association (supra)

    Supreme Court in paragraph 89(ix) directed incorporation of minimum

    years of practice as an advocate being one of the eligibility criteria from the

    next recruitment process; it is necessary to incorporate three years practice

    as an advocate an eligibility criterion in the advertisements before initiating

    selection process i.e. WBJS Examination, 2023 and WBJS Examination,

    2024.

    7. On the proposition that publication of advertisement prior to selection

    process needs to be regarded as commencement of selection process

    following judgments were relied upon:-

    (i) (2014) 14 SCC 50 (Renu & Ors. vs. District and Sessions Judge,
    Tis Hazari & Anr.)

    (ii) 2025 SCC OnLine SC 280 (Amrit Yadav vs. State of Jharkhand &
    Ors
    .)

    (iii) AIR OnLine 1990 SC 20 (A.P. Public Service Commission,
    Hyderabad vs. B. Sarat Chandra
    )

    (iv) (2025) 2 SCC 1 (Tej Prakash Pathak & Ors. vs. Rajasthan High
    Court & Ors.)

    8. Mr. Vivekananda Bose, learned advocate representing the state

    respondents submitted that for filling up the post of Civil Judge (Junior

    Division) in the West Bengal Judicial Service for the year 2023 & 2024

    vacancies were notified by the High Court prior to judgment delivered by the

    Supreme Court in All India Judges Association (supra). Vacancies were

    notified on 19th October, 2023 for WBJS Examination, 2023 and for WBJS
    5

    Examination, 2024, notification was issued on 5 th March, 2025 by the High

    Court Administration which was addressed to the Principal Secretary to the

    Government of West Bengal, Judicial Department whereas judgment in All

    India Judges Association (supra) was delivered on 20th May, 2025. In this

    regard, reliance is placed on paragraph 89 (ix) of All India Judges

    Association (supra) wherein it was held incorporation of eligibility criteria of

    minimum years of practice shall not be applicable in cases where the

    concerned High Court already initiated the selection process for the post of

    Civil Judge (Junior Division) prior to the date of judgment and shall be

    applicable only from the next recruitment process.

    9. It was contended as the direction was upon the High Court relating to

    initiation of selection process for filling up the post of Civil Judge (Junior

    Division) by taking necessary steps and in the present case prior to the date

    of judgment in All India Judges Association (supra) vacancies were

    notified by the High Court, respondent authorities are required to take steps

    in terms of directions of the Supreme Court as contained in the judgment

    dated 20th May, 2025 from the selection process of 2025 by amending rules.

    10. Submissions were made to distinguish ratio of Tej Prakash Pathak

    (supra) in the backdrop of Article 229 and Article 234 of the Constitution;

    in Tej Prakash Pathak (supra) Supreme Court was considering

    appointments in the post of Translators in Rajasthan High Court which

    comes under the ambit of Article 229 where appointing authority is the

    Chief Justice of the High Court whereas in the present case appointments in
    6

    the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) comes under the purview of Article

    234 where appointing authority is Governor of the State in accordance with

    rules which apply in such recruitment after consultation with the State

    Public Service Commission and with the High Court. According to state

    respondents, observation made by the Supreme Court in paragraph 65.1 of

    Tej Prakash Pathak (supra) is in the context of different recruitment rules

    and the recruitment process as contemplated under Article 229 of the

    Constitution which may not apply in the present case.

    11. It was argued by Mr. Debashis Banerjee, learned advocate representing

    the High Court Administration that posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) are

    filled up in terms of Rule 8 of the West Bengal Judicial (Conditions of

    Service) Rules, 2004 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘said Rules of 2004’). It

    was also submitted that High Court Administration is required to identify

    nature of vacancies and number of vacancies to be filled up in a particular

    year and same to be notified to the Judicial Department, Government of

    West Bengal. Judicial Department, Government of West Bengal in its turn is

    required to forward notification of vacancies issued by the High Court to the

    Commission for conducting examination upon taking necessary steps. In

    this regard, reliance was placed on the judgment reported in (2008) 17 SCC

    703 (Malik Mazhar Sultan (3) vs. Uttar Pradesh Public Service

    Commission & Others). Method of recruitment in the post of subordinate

    judicial service in different States including State of West Bengal was

    considered by the Supreme Court and in paragraph 7D in a tabular form it
    7

    was specified the steps which are required to be taken for filling up the post

    of Civil Judge (Junior Division) by direct recruitment. According to High

    Court Administration, in said paragraph 7D of Malik Mazhar Sultan (3)

    (supra) it is indicated that High Court is required to notify vacancies for

    each year which is commencement of selection process for filling up the post

    of Civil Judge (Junior Division). As per said Rules of 2004 and the

    observations made by the Supreme Court in Malik Mazhar Sultan (3)

    (supra) vacancies are required to be notified to the Judicial Department,

    Government of West Bengal and thereafter on forwarding such notification

    of vacancies commission to take steps by issuing advertisement.

    12. Submissions were also made on behalf of commission based on

    advertisements published at two stages. First for WBJS Examination 2023

    indicative advertisement was issued on 28 th December, 2023 and for WBJS

    Examination 2024 indicative advertisement was issued on 7 th December,

    2024 and subsequently two separate advertisements were made on 13 th

    August, 2025 for WBJS Examination 2023 and WBJS Examination 2024 for

    filling up the posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) disclosing different

    aspects of recruitment procedure. It was contended on behalf of

    Commission that advertisements dated 13 th August, 2025 may not be read

    in isolation without considering first indicative advertisements dated 28 th

    December, 2023 and 7th December, 2024. According to Commission, date of

    advertisement may be reckoned with date of indicative advertisements and

    subsequent advertisements dated 13 th August, 2025 merely elaborated
    8

    different aspects of method of recruitment for instance prescribed age limit

    of candidate is to be reckoned with date of indicative advertisements not the

    date of subsequent advertisements published on 13 th August, 2025 in

    connection with both the selection processes namely, WBJS Examination,

    2023 and WBJS Examination, 2024.

    13. Furthermore, there was clarification as published on 23 rd August, 2025

    by concerned authority of Commission clarifying qualification of candidates

    and date of advertisement were to be reckoned with date of indicative

    advertisements dated 28th December, 2023 and 7th December, 2024. It was

    also clarified in the aforesaid clarification dated 23 rd August, 2025 by the

    Commission that date of enrolment as an advocate on the roll of Bar

    Council of any State or Union Territory in India was to be reckoned with the

    dates of indicative advertisements dated 28 th December, 2023 for WBJS

    Examination, 2023 and 7th December, 2024 for WBJS Examination, 2024.

    Therefore, it was submitted on behalf of Commission indicative

    advertisements dated 28th December, 2023 and 7th December, 2024 need

    consideration in arriving at conclusion regarding commencement of

    selection process for filling up the posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) for

    the year 2023 & 2024.

    14. It was also pointed out in reference to two letters dated 19 th October,

    2023 for WBJS Examination, 2023 and another letter dated 5 th March, 2025

    for WBJS Examination, 2024 issued by the High Court Administration to

    the Judicial Department, Government of West Bengal that in both cases
    9

    vacancies were first reported vide letters dated 27 th June, 2023 and 19th

    April, 2024 which stood modified by subsequent letters dated 19 th October,

    2023 and 5th March, 2025 respectively. Stand was also taken on behalf of

    Commission that ball was set in motion when on behalf of High Court

    Administration vacancies were notified by aforesaid letters which were

    addressed to Judicial Department, Government of West Bengal and

    subsequently same were received by the Commission.

    15. In consideration of the case made out on behalf of petitioner and taking

    note of the submissions made on behalf of parties it is found that selection

    process for filling up the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) for the year

    2023 & 2024 was initiated by the High Court Administration on notifying

    vacancies of the respective years to the Judicial Department, Government of

    West Bengal. Such exercise on the part of High Court Administration is

    necessary in terms of the observations made by the Supreme Court in Malik

    Mazhar Sultan (3) (supra). On receipt of vacancy notifications Commission

    took steps first by issuing indicative advertisements dated 28 th December,

    2023 for WBJS Examination, 2023 and on 7 th December, 2024 for WBJS

    Examination, 2024. While issuing such indicative advertisements it was

    stated therein that detailed information regarding commencement and

    closing date for online applications, age limit, qualifications, scale of pay,

    fees to be paid through online and offline mode, scheme and syllabus of the

    examination would be available in the Commission’s website shortly. Details

    of websites were also indicated in those two indicative advertisements.
    10

    Subsequently advertisements were made on 13 th August, 2025 disclosing

    details of method of recruitment, eligibility criteria of candidates, time

    period for submitting application as per indicative advertisements.

    Thereafter, a clarification was issued on 23 rd August, 2025 stating therein

    that qualification of candidate and date of advertisement were to be

    reckoned with date of indicative advertisements i.e. 28 th December, 2023

    and 7th December, 2024.

    16. In aforesaid backdrop having considered the case made out on behalf of

    petitioner this court is tasked to decide whether selection process for filling

    up the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) for the year 2023 & 2024

    commenced with publication of advertisements on 13 th August, 2025 or not.

    17. Reliance was placed on behalf of petitioner on B. Sarat Chandra (supra);

    observations made in B. Sarat Chandra (supra) were considered by a later

    judgment of the Supreme Court reported in (2011) 3 SCC 267 (Pawan

    Pratap Singh & Others vs. Reevan Singh & Others). In paragraph 7 of B.

    Sarat Chandra (supra) it was observed in reference to the interpretation

    attributed by the Tribunal in the context of relevant selection process the

    process of selection begins with issuance of advertisement and ends with

    preparation of select list for appointment. Same was taken into

    consideration in Pawan Pratap Singh (supra) in the context of

    determination of seniority between two groups of direct recruits. In

    paragraph 45(i) of Pawan Pratap Singh (supra) it was held the effective date

    of selection has to be understood in the context of the service rules under
    11

    which the appointment is made. It may mean the date on which the process

    of selection starts with the issuance of advertisement or factum of

    preparation of select list, as the case may be. Therefore, in the present case

    too method of selection is relevant consideration to trace the initiation of

    selection process for recruiting in the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division).

    18. Paragraphs 89(vii), 89(viii), 89 (ix) and 89 (x) of All India Judges

    Association (supra) are quoted below:-

    “89. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we issue the following
    directions:

    xxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxx

    (vii) All the High Courts and the State Governments in the country
    shall amend the relevant service rules to the effect that candidates
    desirous of appearing in the examination for the post of Civil Judge
    (Junior Division) must have practiced for a minimum period of 3
    years to be eligible for the said examination. To fulfill the said
    requirement, the Rules shall mandate that the candidate produces a
    certificate to that effect duly certified either by the Principal Judicial
    Officer of that Court or by an advocate of that Court having a
    minimum standing of 10 years duly endorsed by the Principal
    Judicial Officer of such a District or a Principal Judicial Officer at
    such a station. Insofar as the candidates who are practicing before
    the High Courts or this Court, they shall be certified by an advocate
    who has a minimum standing of 10 years duly endorsed by an
    officer designated by that High Court or this Court. We further direct
    that the experience of the candidates which they have gained while
    working as Law Clerks with any of the Judges or Judicial Officers in
    12

    the country should also be considered while calculating their total
    number of years of practice. The Rules shall also mandate that the
    candidates who are appointed to the post of Civil Judge (Junior
    Division) pursuant to their selection through the examination must
    compulsorily undergo at least 1 year of training before presiding in a
    Court;

    (viii) It is directed that the number of years of practice completed by
    a candidate desirous of appearing in the examination for the post of
    Civil Judge (Junior Division) be calculated from the date of their
    provisional enrolment/registration with the concerned State Bar
    Council;

    (ix) It is further directed that the said requirement of minimum years
    of practice shall not be applicable in cases where the concerned
    High Court has already initiated the selection process for the post of
    Civil Judge (Junior Division) prior to the date of this judgment and
    shall be applicable only from the next recruitment process; and

    (x) All the amendments in terms of the aforesaid direction shall be
    carried out by the High Courts within a period of three months from
    the date of this judgment and the concerned State Governments
    shall consider and approve the same within a further period of three
    months.”

    (Emphasis Supplied)

    19. In paragraph 89(ix) it was observed by the Supreme Court that

    requirement of minimum years of practice shall not be applicable in cases

    where concerned High Court already initiated the selection process for the

    post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) prior to the date of this judgment and

    shall be applicable from the next recruitment process. Taking note of

    method of recruitment as directed by the Supreme Court in Malik Mazhar
    13

    Sultan (3) (supra) High Court is required to forward notification of vacancy

    on identifying number of vacancies and nature of vacancies to the Judicial

    Department, Government of West Bengal and subsequently, Judicial

    Department, Government of West Bengal is required to forward notification

    of vacancy to the Commission. In the present case it was disclosed in the

    affidavit affirmed on behalf of High Court Administration that for WBJS

    Examination, 2023 vacancies were notified vide letter dated 19 th October,

    2023 of the Registrar General and for WBJS Examination, 2024 vacancies

    were notified vide letter dated 5th March, 2025 of the Registrar General

    whereas judgment was delivered in All India Judges Association (supra) on

    20th May, 2025. Normally selection process is set in motion with issuance of

    advertisement but method of selection process in the present case is a

    relevant consideration when in paragraph 89(ix) of All India Judges

    Association (supra) it was specifically held that where the concerned High

    Court already initiated selection process for filling up the post of Civil Judge

    (Junior Division) prior to the judgment dated 20 th May, 2025 revised

    eligibility criteria of minimum three years practice as an advocate shall be

    applicable from the next recruitment process.

    20. In terms of Article 234 of the Constitution appointments in the post of

    Civil Judge (Junior Division) needs to be made by the Governor of the State

    in accordance with rules made by the Governor after consultation with the

    State Public Service Commission and with the High Court exercising

    jurisdiction in relation to such State. In addition thereto Supreme Court in
    14

    paragraph 89(vii) of All India Judges Association (supra) directed all the

    High Courts and State Governments shall amend the relevant service rules

    to the effect that candidates desirous of appearing in the examination for

    the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) must have practiced for a minimum

    period of three years to be eligible for the said examination. Therefore,

    before incorporation of eligibility criterion of having minimum three years

    practice as an advocate for being considered to the post of Civil Judge

    (Junior Division) recruitment rules require amendment. It is disclosed in the

    affidavit affirmed on behalf of Commission that vide letter dated 21 st

    November, 2025 modified draft recruitment rules in terms of the judgment

    of All India Judges Association (supra) was forwarded to the Principal

    Secretary, Government of West Bengal, Judicial Department. High Court

    Administration as well as concerned State authorities are to finalize

    amended recruitment rules regulating recruitment to the West Bengal

    Judicial Service and suitable notification to be issued in this regard strictly

    in terms of the directions as contained in judgment dated 20 th May, 2025 of

    the Supreme Court in All India Judges Association (supra) which would

    enable the authorities to conduct recruitment to the post of Civil Judge

    (Junior Division) in West Bengal Judicial Service by following the dicta of

    Apex Court from the next selection process.

    21. Reliance was placed on Tej Prakash Pathak (supra) on behalf of

    petitioner. In paragraphs 65.2 and 65.3 of Tej Prakash Pathak (supra) Five

    Judge Bench of the Supreme Court taking note of the ratio in K. Manjusree
    15

    vs. State of Andhra Pradesh reported in (2008) 3 SCC 512 and State of

    Haryana vs. Subhas Chander Marwaha reported in (1974) 3 SCC 220

    reference was answered that application of ratio of above two judgments are

    in two separate fields. Subhas Chander Marwaha (supra) deals with right of

    appointment from select list whereas K. Manjusree (supra) deals with right

    to be placed in select list. Much reliance was placed on paragraph 65.1 of

    Tej Prakash Pathak (supra) wherein it was observed that recruitment

    process commenced from issuance of advertisement calling for applications

    and ends with filling up of vacancies and it was argued that 13 th August,

    2025 needs to be considered formal commencement of selection process for

    recruiting Civil Judge (Junior Division) for the year 2023 & 2024. But

    different issue invites attention of this court while deciding present writ

    petition. In the context of relevant recruitment rules applicable for

    appointment of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in West Bengal Judicial Service

    after number and nature of vacancies were intimated to Judicial

    Department of Government of West Bengal for recruitment for the year 2023

    & 2024 incorporation of eligibility criterion of three years legal practice in

    said selection process as per dicta of All India Judges Association (supra)

    is indispensable or not. Answer is found in judgment of All India Judges

    Association (supra) in paragraph 89(ix) as quoted above. Initiation of

    selection process by the High Court in terms of All India Judges

    Association (supra) is forwarding of vacancies (number and nature) to the

    State authorities taking note of manner of selection process. At the cost of

    repetition reliance is placed on Pawan Pratap Singh (supra) wherein
    16

    Supreme Court placing reliance on B. Sarat Chandra (supra) held in

    paragraph 45(i) that effective date of selection process has to be understood

    in the context of service rules under which the appointment is made.

    22. In Renu (supra) and Amrit Yadav (supra) Supreme Court laid emphasis

    on the contents of advertisement for public appointment. It was held in

    those judgments that advertisement to be published prior to public

    appointment must disclose number of post available for selection and

    recruitment, qualifications and other eligibility criteria for such post,

    schedule of recruitment process and the rules under which the selection is

    to be made. Requirement of including these aspects in the advertisement

    prior to public appointment was reiterated in paragraph 19 of Amrit Yadav

    (supra). On conjoint reading of indicative advertisements and subsequent

    advertisements dated 13th August, 2025 for conducting WBJS Examination

    2023 & 2024 it ought not to be deduced that the aforesaid advertisements

    lack particulars which are required to be disclosed as per dicta of Renu

    (supra) and Amrit Yadav (supra).

    23. Petitioner is an eligible candidate who could have offered candidature

    pursuant to advertisements for participating in WBJS Examination 2023 &

    2024 but chose not to participate in selection process due to non-

    incorporation of eligibility criterion of three years practice as an advocate

    thereby prayed for direction to amend eligibility criteria before initiating

    fresh selection process for the year 2023 & 2024. Court finds it apt to quote

    paragraph 44 of three Judge Bench judgment of this court reported in 2019
    17

    SCC OnLine Cal 381 delivered on batch of matters first one being

    Managing Committee, Kadamtala High Madrasah vs. State of West

    Bengal & Ors.:-

    “44. Law being fairly well-settled that even an eligible candidate,
    who might have been found suitable by the selectors and thus
    selected, has no vested right of appointment, the proposition seems
    to me to be unsound that a candidate who wishes to take part in a
    selection process and might have offered his candidature or even
    taken part in such process without a final panel/merit list having
    been prepared, could claim a better right (than candidates selected)
    that the selection process must not only be taken forward but that
    too in accordance with the rules in force on the date the process
    commenced, notwithstanding that such rules may have been
    amended or repealed during the continuance of such process. That a
    candidate for a public post has a right to claim fair consideration of
    his candidature admits of no doubt, but to enforce a right, if at all,
    the minimum that is required of him is to show that he has been
    empaneled/enlisted. However, so long the amendment that is
    effected in the governing rules and is sought to be enforced soon
    after the selection process has commenced or even in the midst
    thereof does not impair his right of participation and also does not
    impede a fair consideration of his candidature, it is difficult to
    comprehend on what basis could a candidate for a public post claim
    that the process must move forward without the amendments,
    insofar as they are relevant, being enforced and to take the selection
    process to its logical conclusion on the basis of the unamended
    rules. If it were a case a repeal of the earlier rules by a new set of
    rules, and initiation of the selection process based on the former not
    being saved by the latter, the recruitment process itself has to be
    aborted and commenced afresh in the tune with the new rules.”

    18

    24. Observations made by Justice Dipankar Datta in paragraph 44 while

    concurring with the view expressed by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty made

    it amply clear that candidate not being empaneled and selected is not

    authorized to claim selection process must move forward without the

    amendments and to take the selection process to its logical conclusion on

    the basis of unamended rules. In Managing Committee, Kadamtala High

    Madrasah (supra) desirous candidates were seeking conclusion of selection

    process in terms of unamended rules wherein it was observed in paragraph

    44 that candidate does not possess right to claim completion of selection

    process in terms of particular recruitment rules, at best candidate for public

    post has right to claim fair consideration of his candidature in the event he

    is empaneled/enlisted. Here instead of possessing requisite

    qualification/eligibility criteria petitioner chose not to participate in the

    selection process unless eligibility criteria is amended in terms of the

    observations made by the Supreme Court in All India Judges Association

    (supra), though it was made clear by the Supreme Court in paragraph

    89(vii) that High Courts and State Governments shall first amend the

    relevant service rules to the effect that candidates desirous of appearing in

    the examination for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) must have

    practiced for a minimum period of three years to be eligible for the said

    examination. It was also held in paragraph 89(ix) that requirement of

    minimum years of practice shall not be applicable in cases where concerned

    High Court has already initiated the selection process for the post of Civil
    19

    Judge (Junior Division) prior to date of the judgment. In terms of the

    observations made by the Supreme Court in All India Judges Association

    (supra) service rules are required to be amended for incorporation of

    eligibility criteria for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) and in this

    regard steps have been taken by the respondent authorities as disclosed in

    the affidavit filed on behalf of the Commission. But when steps were taken

    by the respondent authorities including High Court for initiating selection

    process prior to 20th May, 2025 it was open to the petitioner to participate in

    the selection process being an eligible candidate instead of seeking initiation

    of fresh selection process on amending service rules; such claim of the

    candidate was negated in Managing Committee, Kadamtala High

    Madrasah (supra).

    25. In aforesaid conspectus steps taken by the concerned respondent

    authorities for conducting WBJS Examinations, 2023 & 2024 for recruiting

    Civil Judge (Junior Division) are not interfered with and the writ petition is

    dismissed. However respondent authorities are directed to conduct selection

    process following the observations and directions contained in All India

    Judges Association (supra) from the next year by incorporating requisite

    eligibility criteria as per direction of the Supreme Court.

    26. Urgent photostat certified copy of the order, if applied for, be given to the

    parties, upon usual undertakings.

    (SAUGATA BHATTACHARYYA, J.)



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