Raja Vijayaraghavan, J. The petitioner is an Advocate practicing in various courts at Thiruvananthapuram. He has approached this Court seeking the following reliefs:-

(i) Issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction calling for the records leading to Exhibits P-1 and P-2 and quash Ext.P-2 to the extent of permitting candidature of any person other than from the Bar as per Rule 2 (1)(c) of the Kerala State Higher Judicial Service Special Rules, 1961.

(ii) Issue a writ of declaration declaring that the persons who are not practicing advocates are not qualified to be appointed as District and Sessions Judges by way of direct recruitment under the service as per Rule 2(1)(c) of the Kerala State Higher Judicial Service Special Rules, 1961 and that Ext.P-2 to the extent of permitting candidature of persons other than from the bar is illegal and ultra vires.

(iii) Issue a writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the 1st respondent not to permit the candidature of any person who are already in Kerala State Judicial Services for appointment District and Sessions Judges under the quota of 25% of the posts earmarked for