Bharatkumar Shantilal Thakkar vs State Of Gujarat & Anr

The Supreme Court, while adjudicating a writ petition under Article 32, addressed the implementation of para 8.48 of the Ist National Judicial Pay Commission's recommendations regarding advance increments for judicial officers with higher qualifications in law. The Court found the cut-off date of 1.11.1999 for granting three advance increments to be arbitrary and lacking a rational nexus with the objective of rewarding higher qualifications. Consequently, the Court directed that the proposed Rule 7-A, which does not impose a cut-off date, should be considered for implementation, thereby ensuring equitable treatment for all qualified candidates regardless of their joining date.