Kolkata-High-Court
The candidates who successfully cleared the West Bengal Judicial Services Examination 2022 (WBJS) are facing an uncertain future due to prolonged delays in their appointment as Civil Judges (Junior Division). Despite completing all selection stages, the final recruitment process remains stalled, leaving aspirants in a frustrating limbo.
Timeline of the WBJS 2022 Examination Process
The recruitment cycle for WBJS 2022 began in 2023 and followed this timeline:
- Preliminary Examination – March 2023
- Mains Examination – May 2023
- Interviews – April 2024
- Final List of Selected Candidates – Published by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in May 2024
Even after the declaration of results, no formal appointment letters have been issued to the selected candidates. This stagnation is in direct violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Malik Mazhar Sultan vs. U.P. Public Service Commission (2008), which mandates that judicial service examinations should be completed within a one-year timeframe.
Impact on the Judiciary: Overburdened Courts and Rising Case Backlog
The delay in appointing fresh judicial officers has resulted in an overburdened judiciary, as the last batch of civil judges was appointed in 2021. Over the past three years, there has been no infusion of new judges into the system, while many existing officers have retired, exacerbating the backlog of cases.
As per the Law Ministry’s data presented in Parliament in 2023:
- Civil Cases Pending in West Bengal: 622,950 (as of July 15, 2023)
- Criminal Cases Pending in West Bengal: 2,280,565 (as of July 15, 2023)
This escalating backlog is significantly impacting the efficiency of the state’s district courts and delaying justice for thousands of litigants.
Legal Hurdles: High Court’s Interim Orders Stalling Appointments
The final list of recommended candidates was released on May 14, 2024, following which the verification process was completed. However, the appointment letters remain pending due to an interim order issued by the High Court on September 19, 2024, preventing any recruitment. This order has been extended multiple times, with the latest extension occurring on December 16, 2024.
Although arguments in the related writ petitions concluded in December 2024, the final judgment is still awaited, leaving the entire recruitment process in limbo. The prolonged stay on appointments has effectively halted the careers of successful candidates, who remain uncertain about their future.
Judiciary Recruitment Process at a Standstill
The delay in completing the WBJS 2022 appointment process has raised concerns over the lack of urgency in judicial recruitments in West Bengal. In March 2024, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam had expressed his concern over the delayed interview process and its impact on candidates’ morale. He acknowledged the frustration caused by these persistent delays but, despite his observations, the process has yet to be concluded.
Shockingly, no new official notifications or advertisements for WBJS examinations have been released for 2023 and 2024, further stalling the recruitment cycle. If this trend continues, the judiciary’s ability to function effectively in the state could reach a point of crisis.
Conclusion: The Need for Immediate Resolution
The judicial backlog, overworked courts, and legal uncertainties surrounding WBJS 2022 must be addressed urgently. The authorities must ensure that the final judgment on pending writ petitions is expedited so that appointment letters can be issued without further delay. Additionally, immediate steps must be taken to resume the regular recruitment cycle for judicial services in West Bengal to prevent future disruptions.
Candidates who have worked tirelessly to clear the rigorous WBJS examination deserve a clear and timely resolution to this issue. The rule of law depends on a functional, well-staffed judiciary, and urgent action is necessary to restore efficiency to West Bengal’s judicial system.
