MANJULA SIRCAR vs HARENDRA BAHADUR SINGH .

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the 20% reservation for women candidates in the appointment of Civil Judges (Jr. Division) was not valid due to lack of consultation with the High Court, as mandated by the relevant government order. The Court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure justice, thereby setting aside the High Court's directive to rearrange the select list, which would have resulted in the termination of women candidates who had already been appointed. The outcome affirmed the appointments made under the reservation policy while clarifying the procedural requirements for such reservations.