Case Note & Summary
The dispute arose from the rejection of the candidature of eight candidates for the position of Civil Judge (Junior Division) by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) due to their failure to produce original certificates at the time of the interview. The BPSC had issued an advertisement for 349 posts, and after conducting the necessary examinations, recommended 349 candidates. However, several candidates, including the appellants, were disqualified for not fulfilling the requirement of submitting original documents. The appellants contended that they had submitted self-attested copies and later provided the originals, arguing that the rejection was harsh and unwarranted. The BPSC maintained that the conditions were mandatory and could not be relaxed. The Supreme Court analyzed the circumstances and determined that the rejection was unjustified, noting that the appellants had scored higher than the last selected candidates. The court ordered that the appellants be adjusted against the available vacancies and allowed to join without arrears of salary for the intervening period. The decision of the BPSC and the Patna High Court was set aside, and the appeals were allowed.
Headnote
A) Administrative Law - Recruitment Process - Rejection of Candidature - Bihar Public Service Commission Act, 2006, Section Not mentioned - The court found that the rejection of candidature based solely on non-production of original certificates at the interview was improper and unjustified, especially since the appellants had secured higher marks than the last selected candidates. The court directed the State to adjust the appellants against available vacancies (Paras 16-20).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the rejection of the appellants' candidature for non-production of original certificates at the time of interview was justified.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court allowed the appeals, set aside the decision of the BPSC and the Patna High Court, and directed the adjustment of the appellants against available vacancies. The appellants were entitled to join without arrears of salary for the intervening period.
Law Points
- Candidature rejection
- original certificates
- recruitment process
- judicial appointments
- merit-based selection
