New Delhi, Oct 9: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday held that judicial officers who had completed seven years of practice as advocates before joining the bench can be considered for appointment as district judges against vacancies reserved for members of the bar.

A five-judge Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justices M.M. Sundresh, Aravind Kumar, S.C. Sharma, and K. Vinod Chandran delivered two separate but concurring judgments, clarifying that officers of the subordinate judiciary are eligible for direct recruitment as district judges under the bar quota.

“Judicial officers who have already completed seven years at the bar before entering service will be entitled to be appointed as district judges,” the CJI said, adding that the Constitution m

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