Supreme Court of India | Photo: Mathrubhumi
New Delhi: The Kerala High Court and the tribunal can intervene for extending the validity of PSC rank lists, ruled Supreme Court of India here on Tuesday. Pronouncing this judgement, the apex court dismissed a plea submitted by the Kerala Public Service Commission against a 2017 High Court order extending the validity of rank lists in various vacancies.
The crucial verdict was pronounced by a Bench comprising Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice Krishna Murari. Supreme Court dismissed PSC’s argument that courts or administrative tribunals can only intervene in the validity extension if there is a violation of the rule. Upholding the High Court’s order, SC dismissed the PSC's arguments.
The matter related to the case happened in 2016.
Based on the state government’s recommendation, the High Court had extended the validity of rank lists in various vacancies which had their expiry on June 30, 2016. The extension was for six months. Meanwhile, based on another recommendation given by the state government, PSC extended the validity of rank lists that was expected to expire on December 30, 2016, and June 29, 2017. However, PSC was of the stance that those who are in the lists which got extended validity earlier will not be eligible for the second one.
The candidates filed a plea over the matter and High Court ordered that those who are in the lists which have not exceeded four years after its publication will be eligible for getting the second extension. In response, PSC in Supreme Court filed a plea over High Court’s decision. The verdict which come out now dismissed PSC’s argument on the authority of extending the validity of PSC rank lists and upheld that both courts and administrative tribunals can have its own discretion over the matter. Counsels of the candidates said that with the new verdict, those who are on the list which not get a validity extension for the second time are likely to get appointments.
Senior lawyer VV Giri and lawyer Vipin Nair appeared for PSC, while for the state government standing counsel CK Shashi appeared. Senior lawyers like PN Raveendran and PV Surendranath and lawyers Romy Chacko, Roy Abraham, Sulfikker Ali, PS Sudheer and Jaimon Andrews appeared for various petitioners.
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