New Delhi: The Jharkhand High Court has put a brake on the cancellation of 22 recruitment exams, giving nearly 3,000 selected candidates a reprieve after the state government scrapped the tests over alleged paper leaks and irregularities.
The examinations were conducted through private agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) and were later scrapped by the Hemant Soren government following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities. The High Court has now allowed appointed candidates and successful recruits to resume their duties until the next hearing. The affected appointments include assistant professors, civil judges, food safety officers, deputy collectors and candidates selected through the JSSC-CGL examination. Their employment will continue while the court examines the legality of the state government’s decision. This gives the appointed candidates temporary protection from termination, although the final outcome will depend on further proceedings.
The court also accepted the argument that cancelling entire examinations without giving individual candidates an opportunity to respond could violate principles of natural justice and constitutional protections under Articles 14 and 21.
Court Delays Examination Cancellations Amid Ongoing Investigation
The High Court has issued a stay on the immediate cancellation of 22 examinations, which had been under scrutiny for alleged malpractice. As a result, the fate of these examinations will hinge on forthcoming court proceedings, investigation findings, and proposed reforms to the examination process by the government.
In light of the investigation, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) may be required to provide evidence-based lists of candidates suspected of involvement in the alleged irregularities. This development underscores the ongoing legal and administrative complexities surrounding the situation.
