RISHAB MURALI Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner claims to be a fresh law graduate, intending to participate in the recruitment examination to be conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (hereafter "the Commission", for short) for appointment on the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division)/Judicial Magistrate (First Class). However, the petitioner is aggrieved because by the terms of the advertisement dated December 23, 2021 issued by the Commission, he is age-barred from offering his candidature.

(2.) It is the contention of the learned advocate for the petitioner that no advertisement was issued in December, 2020 because of the pandemic, as a result whereof he could not offer his candidature then; and the advertisement having now been issued on December 23, 2021, by this time, the petitioner has become age-barred. It is also contended that the General Administration Department of the Government of Maharashtra, taking note of the situation arising out of the pandemic, has granted relaxation as regards age for recruitment in other services but without extending similar benefit for entry into judicial service. This, according to him, is discriminatory. Since the last date for applying is January 15, 2022, it is submitted that the petitioner would be losing the opportunity to compete as a fresh law graduate unless he is allowed to make an application and the same is directed to be considered by the Commission.

(3.) Appearing on behalf of the State, Mr. Shastri, learned AGP contends that an opportunity ought to be granted to file an affidavit-in-reply. It is also submitted by him that since the petitioner is admittedly age-barred, there is no question of granting him any interim protection today.