LI Network
Published on: December 02, 2023 at 12:05 IST
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has mandated the extension of relaxation in marks, granted to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates in the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Service exam, to also include candidates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
The ruling, given by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Vishal Mishra, directed the relaxation of marks for OBC candidates, aligning it with the concessions provided to SC/ST candidates.
The court underscored that OBC candidates must secure a minimum of 55% marks in the preliminary exam, 45% marks in each paper, and 50% marks in the main exam, akin to the relaxation given to SC/ST candidates.
In the context of Rule 7(g) of the 1994 Rules, the court altered the stipulation for OBC candidates, reducing the required aggregate marks from 70% to 50%, in line with the relaxation afforded to SC/ST candidates.
However, the remaining conditions under Rules 5(3) and (4), and the proviso to Rule 7(g) remained unchanged, awaiting further court directives.
The case centered on the challenge to the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Service Rules, 1994, highlighting the absence of mark relaxation for OBC candidates, despite their entitlement to reservation.
The petitioner argued that this denial of relaxation, specified in Rules 5(3) and (4) and Rule 7(g), put OBC candidates on par with General category candidates, contrary to their reservation rights.
Aditya Adhikari, senior counsel representing the Madhya Pradesh High Court, requested additional time to respond to the petition, stating a short notice of two days before the hearing.
The court, noting the ongoing recruitment process for Civil Judge Junior Division (Entry Level) Exam – 2022 with a deadline of December 18, 2023, observed the necessity to extend relaxation to OBC candidates. It highlighted that their rights were affected due to the absence of concessions, compelling them to compete on par with the unreserved category.
The bench shared its intent to issue a corrigendum within three working days, extending the relaxation to eligible OBC candidates. It clarified that this action would not create equity for candidates but would apply uniformly to all eligible individuals.
The court scheduled further proceedings post its vacation, indicating that the matter’s remaining contentions would be considered upon receiving the High Court Administration’s response.
Case title: Varsha Patel vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and Others.
