The Supreme Court on Tuesday halted the Gujarat High Court's recruitment process for Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC)/Civil Judges in the State, citing the absence of a prescribed minimum period of law practice as an eligibility criterion.
A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih issued the stay, noting that the matter concerning the requirement of minimum years of law practice for judicial appointments is already under consideration before the apex court.
"When the Court is ceased of the issue, we do not appreciate the necessity to rush through the selection process as the outcome of that case will have direct bearing on the qualification to be prescribed for the JFMC-cum-Civil Judge," the Court said.
The Court also issued notices to the Gujarat High Court and the State government. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on March 18.
"We further stay the proceedings initiated by the High Court for recruitment to the post of JMFC-cum-Civil Judge," the top court ordered.
The preliminary examination for the advertised vacancies was set to take place this month.
The High Court's advertisement did not mandate any minimum law practice as a prerequisite for candidates applying for the posts.
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