RAJASTHAN JUDICIAL SERVICE OFFICERS ASSN vs STATE OF RAJASTHAN

The Supreme Court, in this writ petition under Article 32, addressed the legality of Notification No. Estt.(RJS)/118/2003 concerning the recruitment of 19 posts in the Rajasthan Higher Judicial Service. The Court reaffirmed its earlier ruling in Veena Verma's case, emphasizing that the strength of the service can only be varied through a specific order under Rule 6(2) of the Rajasthan Higher Judicial Service Rules, and that mere creation of posts does not suffice. Consequently, the Court held that the notification was invalid as it did not comply with the requisite legal framework, thus protecting the interests of existing judicial officers against reduced promotion opportunities.