MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday declared 44 appointments and three promotions made in its establishment null and void, ordering action against the Selection Committee.
High Court Judge Justice Chaudhary Khalid Rasheed delivered the verdict on the writ petitions challenging the legality of appointments and promotions in the High Court Establishment.
The petitions filed separately questioned the notifications amending the AJK High Court Establishment (Amended) Rules, 2020, and the appointments and promotions made under those amendments.
The petitioners took the stand that these appointments and promotions were made based on like or dislike and were against the relevant rules.
The petitioners also said that earlier in August 2020, the vacancies in the IT department were advertised through the National Testing Service (NTS); however, the High Court itself made the appointments through a selection committee.
It was further said that the amended rules, made through notifications in July 2023 and January 2025, under which these recruitments were made, were not published in the official gazette, hence they cannot be implemented.
The court asked the lawyers of all the parties to submit a written explanation or rebuttal instead of a press release, but none could satisfy the court.
In its decision, the court upheld the 27 appointments in scales one to five that were not challenged, while declaring the remaining 44 appointments and three promotions null and void.
“Appointments of private respondents in the I.T. Department of the High Court, as well as Office Coordinators, are hereby extinguished. The appointments of private respondents as stenographers are hereby annulled,” the verdict reads.
It further states, ” The promotion of private respondent No.53 as Senior Scale Stenographer is hereby recalled. Permanent promotion of private respondent No.54 as Secretary to the Chief Justice and transfer as Additional Registrar are declared coram-non-judice.”
Furthermore, the court also declared the “promotion of respondent No.55 as Assistant Registrar (Record) void, hence, revoked.” “Promotion of respondent No.74 as Stenographer is declared as anomalous, hence, call off,” it added.
Furthermore, the court has issued an order to complete the inquiry against the selection committee within three months.
