Kerala HC selection of ADJs arbitrary: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday termed as "manifestly arbitrary" to the changes made by the Kerala High Court in the criteria for selection of additional district judges (ADJs) in the state in 2017.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, however, refused to "unseat" those who were selected for the state higher judicial services six years ago, observing such a step will be against "public interest" and "harsh" on them.

It also said the unsuccessful petitioners, as a consequence, cannot be inducted into the judicial services. Many of them might already be active in the legal profession, the court said.