In Brief
A Scheduled Tribe woman appointed as a Civil Judge was discharged during probation based on allegations including non-disclosure of her previous government employment, which she had already resigned from before her interview. The Supreme Court held that the discharge was invalid because: (1) the alleged misconduct occurred prior to her judicial service and was not grounds for discharge; (2) the omission regarding past employment was minor and reasonably explained; and (3) the inquiry violated natural justice as she was not properly heard. The Court emphasized that diversity in the judiciary promotes gender equality and that a probationer with successful training cannot be discharged for minor irregularities. The judgment reinforced that female judicial appointments enhance judicial quality, shift gender stereotypes, and increase women's access to justice.
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