JUDGMENT :

The petitioner, a resilient individual challenged by a locomotor disability rated at 40% by the Medical Board, is a member of a Scheduled Caste. Undeterred by the hurdles that destiny has unfurled in his path, he has demonstrated remarkable tenacity and academic prowess. After earning his Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kerala University, he acquired a Master of Business Administration from the Institute of Management in Kerala. He has also secured LLM Degree from the Law Department at Karyavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram. He is presently practicing as an Advocate in the State.

2. The petitioner has approached this Court with a prayer to quash Ext.P1 notification dated 13.4.2023 issued by respondents 1 and 2, as per which applications were invited from qualified candidates for appointment as District and Sessions Judge in the Kerala State Higher Judicial Service by direct recruitment from the bar.

3. The contentions raised by the petitioner can be summarised as under:

a) While issuing Ext.P1 notification, the respondents omitted to