Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling: Blind Individuals Can Serve as Judges, 31-Year-Old Rule Struck Down
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court of India on Monday delivered a landmark judgment, allowing visually impaired individuals to become judges. The apex court struck down a provision in the **Madhya Pradesh Judicial Service Rules, 1994**, which excluded blind and visually impaired candidates from applying for judicial services.
A bench comprising **Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan** declared that such restrictions violate the **Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016**, and emphasized the need for an inclusive and accessible justice system. The court ruled that disability cannot be a barrier to talent in the judicial profession and that visually impaired individuals are entitled to participate in judicial examinations.
The judgment was issued in response to a letter petition filed by the **mother of a visually impaired candidate**, challenging the discriminatory rule. Taking suo motu cognizance of the issue, the court had reserved its verdict on **December 3, 2024**, and finally delivered the decision in favor of inclusivity and equal opportunity.
Justice Mahadevan, delivering the verdict on behalf of the bench, stated that **clinical assessments conducted by medical experts cannot be the sole basis for depriving disabled persons of their rights**. The court also directed that necessary facilities be provided to ensure a fair evaluation process for persons with disabilities.
The ruling sets a significant precedent, ensuring that the judicial recruitment process remains free from discrimination. The court stressed that the **state must take affirmative action** to create an inclusive system where individuals with disabilities receive equal opportunities in public services, including the judiciary.
This decision is being hailed as a major step toward inclusivity, reinforcing the constitutional rights of persons with disabilities and strengthening their representation in the judicial system.
