NETAJIRAO SANJAY PRABHUDESSAI Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) "We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it".

(2.) On 24.08.2012, the Goa Police Department issued an advertisement in local daily newspapers and also on its website inviting applications from eligible candidates for appointment by direct recruitment to the post of Police Sub-Inspector, in the Pay Band of Rs. 9300-34800 + Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/- alongwith the permissible allowances. Total 105 posts were advertised which included two posts reserved for the Children of Freedom Fighters. The advertisement set out the essential qualifications both educational as well as the physical parameters and contemplate undergoing of physical efficiency test which was a qualifying criteria for selection.

(3.) The petitioner, being qualified as per the essential qualifications of the advertisement, filed his application from the category of ward of Freedom Fighters since his father has been a freedom fighter during Goa struggle for liberation. For the said category, age relaxation of 5 years was permissible. Since the petitioner met with the prescribed requisite parameters he was allowed to participate in the selection process and received a call letter for verification of his documents and undergoing the physical efficiency test. Since he met the necessary requirements and also cleared the physical efficiency test, he was permitted to appear for the written examination and was called for an oral interview at Police Headquarters, Panaji-Goa. On the process being completed, on 20.01.2013 the select list of candidates was published and the name of the petitioner featured in the said list from the category of Children of Freedom Fighter. By memorandum dated 23.09.2013, an offer letter for appointment as Police Sub-Inspector was issued to the petitioner which was however subject to verification and genuineness of the certificates produced by the candidate regarding his educational qualifications, age, caste, category, etc.