Allowed

Indrajit Rajkhowa and 18 Ors. v. the Union of India and 8 Ors.

Gauhati HC7 Jun 2022WP(C)/991/2021

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Gauhati High Court allowed a petition challenging the rejection of ST candidates who scored higher marks than General Category candidates. The Court held that relaxed physical standards only enabled participation without affecting merit-based ranking, and such candidates must be considered for General Category vacancies.

What did the court decide?

Petition allowed; petitioner candidates to be accommodated against vacant posts if they secured marks above the General Category cut-off within six weeks.

Indrajit Rajkhowa and 18 Ors. Vs the Union of India… — Service and Employment | Gauhati HC (2022)

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GAHC010043452021

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THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

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Case No. : WP(C)/991/2021

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INDRAJIT RAJKHOWA AND 18 ORS S/O. KULA RAJKHOWA R/O. SEPAN HOLOGURI P.O. HOLOGURI DIST. SIVSAGAR-785673.

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2: AMARJYOTI BORAH S/O. DHIREN BORAH R/O. KAKOJAN DULIAGAON P.O. KAKOJAN DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785107.

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3: ANUP JYOTI BORAH S/O. DHIREN BORAH R/O. KAKOJAN DULIAGAON P.O. KAKOJAN DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785107.

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4: DIGANTA DUTTA S/O. RABIN DUTTA R/O. HATIGHULI P.O. HATIGHULI DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785664.

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5: CHAKRAPANI ROY S/O. JANURAM ROY

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R/O. CHARAKALA P.O. GORUGAON DIST. BONGAIGAON ASSAM-783383.

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6: RANJIT LAHON S/O. LAKHI LAHON R/O. LAHONGAON P.O. CHINATAMONI DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785682.

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7: DIPANKAR CHUTIA S/O. DIMBESWAR CHUTIA R/O. SAPANJAN P.O. BORHOLLA DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785631.

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8: UJJAL TAMULI S/O. LT. TANKESWAR TAMULI R/O. MOHGIRIA P.O. SANTIPUR DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785667. 9: DIPANKAR HAZARIKA S/O. AJIT HAZARIKA R/O. CHURCHURI P.O. BORNODI DIST. NALBARI ASSAM-781303.

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10: DIBYAJYOTI BORAH S/O. BIPUL BORAH R/O. MITONG NAKATANI P.O. GAURISAGAR DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785664.

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11: UJJAL GOGOI S/O. PRANAB GOGOI R/O. BONMUKH GOHAINGAON P.O. BONMUKH DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785663.

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12: BHARGOB JYOTI GOGOI S/O. BAAP GOGOI R/O. CHIRAKHUNDA P.O. CHIRAKHUNDA DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785666. 13: PARTHAJIT BORCHETIA S/O. REBAT BORCHETIA VILL. TAMULI GAON P.O. MORIJHANJI DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785682. 14: AJOY NATH S/O. THANU RAM NATH VILL. GAHARAGURI P.O. HATIGHULI P.S. GAURISAGAR DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785664. 15: BIKASH CHUTIA S/O. KANAK CHUTIA VILL. NAGINIJUNI P.O. BORHOLLA DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785631. 16: AJOY BURAGOHAIN S/O. ACHINTA BURAGOHAIN P.O. BONAI DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785112. 17: SANTANU SAIKIA S/O. BUDHIN SAIKIA R/O. BONAI NAPOMUAGAON P.O. BONAI DIST. JORHAT ASSAM-785631.

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18: SHIVAJYOTI CHETIA S/O. DIPEN CHETIA R/O. BARMUKH PATARGAON P.O. BARMUKH DIST. SIVSAGAR ASSAM-785667.

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19: ANKUR GOGOI S/O. PRAFULLA GOGOI VILL. HUDUPARA KHONGIA P.O. MEZENGA DIST. SIBSAGAR ASSAM-785685. VERSUS THE UNION OF INDIA AND 8 ORS REP. BY THE COMM. AND SECY. TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS NEW DELHI-110001. 2:THE STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION (SSC) REP. BY THE CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION BLOCK-12 CGO COMPLEX LODHI ROAD NEW DELHI-110003. 3:THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR (NER) STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION RUKMINI NAGAR P.O. ASSAM SACHIVALAYA GUWAHATI-06. 4:THE DIRECTOR GENERAL BORDER SECURITY FORCE (BSF) BLOCK NO.10 LODHI ROAD PRAGATI VIHAR NEW DELHI-110003. 5:THE DIRECTOR GENERAL CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE (CISF) BLOCK NO.13 LODHI ROAD PRAGATI VIHAR NEW DELHI-110003. 6:THE DIRECTOR GENERAL CENTRAL RESERVE POLICE FORCE (CRPF) CGO COMPLEX LODHI ROAD NEW DELHI-110003.

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7:DIRECTOR GENERAL

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ASSAM RIFLES NONGRIMMAW LAITUMUKHRAH GORALINE SHILLON MEGHALAYA-793011. 8:DIRECTOR GENERAL

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INDO TIBETAN BORDER FORCE (ITBP) BLOCK NO.10 LODHI ROAD PRAGATI VIHAR NEW DELHI-110003. 9:DIRECTOR GENERAL

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SHAHASRA SEEM BAL (SSB) 5-6 VIVEKANANDA MARG EAST BLOCK R.K. PURAM NEW DELHI-110022. -----------Advocate for : MR. D DEKA Advocate for : ASSTT.S.G.I. appearing for THE UNION OF INDIA AND 8 ORS

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BEFORE

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HON’BLE MR JUSTICE ARUN DEV CHOUDHURY

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For the petitioner	: Mr. D. Deka. Advocate.
For the Respondents	: Mr. S. K. Medhi. CGC.
Date of Hearing	: 07.06.2022
Date of Judgement	: 07.06.2022

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JUDGMENT & ORDER (ORAL)

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Heard Mr. R. Deka learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Mr. S. K. Medhi, learned CGC appearing for the Union of India.

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Mr. R. Deka, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioner Nos. 1, 4, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19 wants to withdraw their names from this writ petition with a liberty to file afresh if so advised. Prayer is allowed. Accordingly, Registry to correct the same including in the CIS system.

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It is needless to say that the present decision shall not be applicable to the writ petitioner Nos. 1, 4, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19 as the said writ petitioners have withdrawn their names from the present writ petition with a liberty to approach this Court afresh.

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The petitioners participated in a selection process for recruitment of Constable (GD) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), NIA & SSF and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles. Such selection process was initiated by Staff Selection Commission by its advertisement dated 21.07.2018. The petitioners belongs to ST categories and from North Eastern Region, more particularly from Assam.

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The petitioners are aggrieved by non-inclusion of their names in the select list dtd.21.01.2021, published by the Staff Selection Commission.

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The selection test included Physical Standard Tests (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Written Examination. The grievance raised by the petitioners are that though they successfully came out in all segments without availing any individual and additional relaxation granted the selection process, their candidature had been rejected on the ground that they had taken benefit of relaxed standard as provided to SC/ST and OBC

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candidates.

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7. The background fact of the litigation can be summarized as under:

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(i) The Staff Selection Commission by notice dated 21.07.2018 sought application from intending illegible candidates for filling up 54953 numbers of vacancies for the post of Constables (G.D) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), NIA & SSF and Rifleman (GD) in Assasm Rifles (AR).

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(ii) The scheme of Examination, under Clause 9 (III) provides for required Physical standard. The said clause shows that for the General, SC & OBC candidates, the minimum height for male candidate is 170 cm and female candidate is 157 cm. In case of ST candidates, the same is declared to be 162.5 cm for male and 150 cm for female. A separate standard was provided for some States, including the State of Assam, which is 165 cm for male and 155 cm for female. The measurement of chest, a relaxed standard of 75.5 CM was provided for candidates belonging to some States, including State of Assam.

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(iii) Clause -10, which is the General Instructions and are required to be complied with by the candidates during the examinations. Clause 10 (xiii) provides that those SC, ST, OBC and Ex-Serviceman candidates, who are selected on their own merit without relaxed standards, along with candidates belonging to other communities, will not be adjusted against the reserved category vacancies and such candidate will be accommodated

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against the unreserved vacancies as per their position in the overall Merit List.

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(iv) Clause -10 (xiv) provides that those SC, ST, OBC and ExServiceman candidates, who qualifies on the basis of relaxation i.e., age limit etc. are to be adjusted against the reserved vacancy.

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The petitioners claims that they secured more marks than their respective General category candidates. However, they have been refused appointments on the ground that as they belong to reserved categories and availed relaxed standards, they cannot be appointed against vacancies meant for the General category candidates.

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As per the advertisement, separate standard in respect of northeastern regional candidates and SC/ST and OBC candidates were given. On the basis of such relaxed standard, the petitioners participated in the selection process.

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It is no more res integra that the state and its instrumentalities are within its jurisdiction and competence to prescribe relaxed standard for reserved category candidates, including on the basis of region. The relaxed standard in question as provided, are in respect of eligibility/qualifying standard, such as minimum measurement in heigh and chest. These are the eligibility criterias/qualifying standard without which, a candidate is not qualified to participate in the other tests such as computer Proficiency Test, Physical Test, Written Examination etc. And the marks are awarded on the basis of performance in the said tests and not on the basis of the qualifying standards. Therefore, the final determination of rank in the select list is

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based on the marks obtained in the tests and not on the basis of relaxed qualifying standard. Thus, participating in the aforesaid tests and obtaining the marks don’t have any nexus with the relaxed standard, which is a general relaxation for all ST/SC candidates and candidate from North Eastern State.

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There is no dispute that the petitioners herein had scored higher marks then last General Category Candidates. The relaxation in standard was general relaxation and not individual relaxation like date of birth. The petitioners herein competed with the General Category Candidates in the examination securing more marks then the General Category candidates.

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No concession was given in respect of marks in selection tests to the categories in question by giving relaxed qualifying standard in respect of height/Chest. Such relaxation had only enabled them to participate in the examination as special category candidates and they competed with general category candidates and secured more marks than last general category candidates. Therefore, the reserved category candidates, who obtained more marks than that of the last general category candidate secured, need to be considered against vacancy meant for general category candidates inasmuch as same is provided in the advertisement itself under clause 10(iii).

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In a similar factual background, the Delhi High Court in Hemant Pokhriyal Vs- Staff Selection Commission and Ors. in WP(C) No. 4982/2021 and decided on 1^st October, 2021, held that relaxation given in height or chest are available to candidates from a specific region, where the candidate belong to reserved or un-reserved category, cannot lead

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categorization of the candidates exclusively for SC, ST and OBC, ignoring their meritorious position amongst other category candidates. This Court is in Total agreement with such view of the Delhi High Court.

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The present petitioners, appeared in the same region with relaxed standard and faced the same selection process with other categories. Therefore, the relaxation in qualifying standards for their categories shall not disentitle them for consideration against reserved category vacancies, if they have secured more marks then the General Category candidates.

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The learned counsel for respondent Union India has fairly submitted that they have already implemented the judgment of the Delhi High Court in Hemant Pokhrial (Supra).

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In the aforesaid backdrop, this writ petition is allowed. As posts were kept vacant under interim orders of this Court, it is directed that the respondent authorities should accommodate the petitioners, against those vacancies. While doing so, the respondent authority will verify the case of the petitioners herein and their marks and if they have obtained marks above the cut off mark of last general category candidates, as discussed herein above, they will be accommodated against those posts. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order to be furnished by the petitioners.

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With the above decision, observation, reasons and direction, this writ petition is allowed. Parties to bear their own cost.

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JUDGE

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Comparing Assistant

Indrajit Rajkhowa and 18 Ors. v. the Union of India and 8 Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Indrajit Rajkhowa and 18 Ors. v. the Union of India and 8 Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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