CONSTABLE S K JHA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has, in this petition, prayed for a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to promote him to the next higher rank of Head Constable. The controversy arises in the following circumstances:

(2.) The petitioner is working as a Constable General Duty in the Indo Tibetan Border Police. He was eligible for promotion to the next higher rank of a Head Constable but was not, it appears, considered as he was found to be medically unfit by the concerned Medical Board. Aggrieved by the denial of promotion to him on the above ground, the petitioner has approached this Court to assert that he was actually fit to discharge the duties of a Constable as also the duties attached to the higher rank of Head Constable in the force. In support of that submission, he placed reliance upon medical certificates issued to him by three civil hospitals including All India Institute of Medical Sciences certifying that he was physically fit to resume duties. Taking into consideration the said certificates, this Court had, by an order dated 11th January, 2007, directed the respondents to constitute a Review Medical Board to determine whether the petitioner continued to be a CEE(Permanent) category case or had improved in terms of his physical fitness, to be able to serve and discharge the duties attached to the post of a Constable of Indo Tibetan Border Police. Mrs. Maninder Acharya, counsel appearing for the respondents, today submits that a Review Medical Board was, in pursuance of the said direction, constituted which examined the petitioner and certified on the basis of medical examination and investigations that the petitioner was SHAPE-I (AYE), fit to perform all duties at all places. The opinion of the Review Medical Board is in the following words:

(3.) Mrs. Acharya submits that in the light of the above finding recorded by the Review Medical Board, the petitioner's case for promotion to the next higher rank can now be considered in accordance with the relevant Rules.