Legislature Cannot Directly Annul Judgment: Supreme Court Strikes Down 2022 Karnataka Law Validating Tainted 2011 Civil Service Selection

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Published 29 October 2026

Case: Not stated in the source
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Not stated in the source
Citation: Not stated in the source
Source: LiveLaw

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

The Supreme Court struck down a 2022 Karnataka law that validated a tainted 2011 civil service selection, holding that the legislature cannot directly annul a judgment. The Court directed fresh recruitment for vacant Group A and Group B posts, with a one-time age relaxation for 2011 candidates.

Ratio Decidendi · Legal Principle Established

A legislature cannot directly annul a judicial judgment through legislation. While it can remove the basis of a judgment by enacting a new law or amending an existing one, it cannot declare a judgment invalid or reverse its effect retrospectively.

Practice & Procedural Impact for Advocates

Advocates should note that legislative attempts to directly overturn judicial pronouncements without altering the underlying legal basis are unconstitutional. Litigants affected by such legislative actions can challenge them on grounds of separation of powers. Counsel should advise clients that fresh recruitment processes may include age relaxations for previously affected candidates.

Key Legal Takeaways

1Legislature cannot directly annul a court judgment.
2Legislation must remove the basis of a judgment, not merely declare it invalid.
3Fresh recruitment with age relaxation may be ordered in cases of tainted selection processes.

The Legal Issue The Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of a 2022 Karnataka law that sought to validate a civil service selection process from 2011, which had previously been found to be tainted. The core legal issue was whether a legislature possesses the power to directly annul a judicial judgment through legislation, or if its power is limited to removing the basis of such a judgment.

Court's Reasoning The Supreme Court held that the legislature cannot directly annul a judgment passed by a court. The Court reiterated the principle of separation of powers, stating that while the legislature has the power to enact laws, amend existing ones, and even retrospectively remove the basis of a judgment, it cannot declare a judgment invalid or reverse its effect directly. The 2022 Karnataka law was found to be an attempt to directly validate a selection process that had been judicially determined to be tainted, thereby infringing upon the judicial power.

What Follows The Supreme Court struck down the 2022 Karnataka law. Consequently, the State Government was directed to initiate fresh recruitment for the vacant Group A and Group B posts that were part of the 2011 selection process. The Court also ordered that candidates from the 2011 recruitment who are eligible for the fresh process be granted a one-time age relaxation.