SC declines to stay order quashing of TNPSC members appointments

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay a Madras High Court order quashing the appointments of 11 members of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).

The order by a Bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar came while hearing an appeal by the Tamil Nadu government against the Madras High Court's December 22, 2016 verdict quashing the appointments for being "deeply flawed".

The apex court also directed the Tamil Nadu government to conduct fresh selection of the TNPSC members but with the rider that an ex-judge who was denied extension, will not be eligible for re-selection.

The 11 TNPSC members were appointed in January 2016 by the J. Jayalalithaa government.

During the hearing, the court described as "arbitrary" the manner in which the Tamil Nadu government used its prerogative to make the appointments.

Representing the state government, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said the recommendations for the appointments were made by the government in January 2016 which were accepted by the Governor same day.

The court said it was "inconceivable" that the entire process including searching, screening and police verification could be completed in one day for all the 11 appointees.

--IANS

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