Chandigarh, Sept. 23 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court has dismissed a plea challenging the 50% marks criterion for appointment to superior judicial service in Punjab and Haryana.

The high court bench of justice Sheel Nagu and justice Sanjiv Berry observed that by laying down the syllabus, format of examination, and conditions with regard to marks are not violative of the basic rules, but the same has been done so that the best available talent can be selected for the performance of the duties as a member of the superior judicial services.

It dismissed a plea from one, Rushil Jindal, who had challenged the criterion of securing 50% marks for appointment as an additional sessions judge in Punjab, arguing that the criterion was arbitra...