to be achieved. The police officials have to deal with various and varied situations while performing their duties but primary of them being law and order, which requires competent and talented officers. The intention of Rule 13.7 is to identify and catch them young so that the talent may be groomed and allowed to grow with the experience gained in their service. Rule 13.7(2)(i) aims at Constables, who are below the age of 35 years while Rule 13.7 (ii) aims at constables, who are under the age of 40 years. A conjoint reading of both the sub-rules would show that only the upper age limit has been prescribed under the rules and no minimum age has been prescribed either under Sub-rule 2(i) or sub rule 2(ii), which means that if a constable fulfills the requirement of the upper age and the other qualifications prescribed under the respective category as per sub-rule 2, there is no bar to his consideration under each of them. Meaning thereby, a constable, who is eligible in one category under Rule 13.7(2)(i) can also be considered in the other category under Rule 13.7(2)(ii) of the Punjab Police Rules, as there is no bifurcation between the rules as far as the eligibility is concerned with regard to the minimum age as none is prescribed.”
