JUDGMENT

Vinod Chandran, J.

Whether Rule 7 of the Kerala Judicial Service Rules, 1991 as amended in the year 2019, runs counter to the directions issued in Malik Mazhar Sultan (3) v. U.P. Public Service Commission [2008) 17 SCC 703]? If not, whether the party respondents/writ petitioners and other similarly placed candidates, who figure in the merit list approved by the Governor, could be appointed to the vacancies arising within one year of the date of approval, in excess of the vacancies notified? These are the two questions arising for our consideration in the appeal. The learned Single Judge directed that an additional list be forwarded to the Governor for approval and appointment as Munsiff-Magistrates, in accordance with the rules, from the merit list dated 20.02.2020. The High Court is in appeal from the directions issued by the learned Single Judge.

2. Sri.Elvin Peter, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant, would invite us to the various Record of Proceedings of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and specifically refer to Malik Mazhar Sultan (3) and Malik Mazhar Sultan v. U.P. Public Service Commission [(2009) 17 SCC 24]. The Hon'ble Supreme Court while laying down a tim