'District Judges Entitled To Protection Of Seniority': Andhra Pradesh High Court Quashes 2022 Seniority List

The Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed the 2022 seniority list of District Judges which had rearranged appointees from the same recruitment year based solely on differing dates of issuance of appointment orders. Petitioners argued that seniority must be determined under Rule 13(a) of the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service Rules, 2007 and the mandatory 40-point roster in Schedule-A, rather than by ministerial order dates. The Court noted that selection and result stages for both quotas were completed simultaneously in 2017, and promotions had already been made accordingly. It held that executive action cannot override legislative intent reflected in the roster system. Accordingly, the 2022 list was set aside, and the Court directed fresh fixation of seniority strictly applying the statutory roster. The ruling underscores that statutory rules, not administrative convenience, govern judicial service seniority.