ASHOK M SHRIMALI Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BY consent rule called out. Respondents waive service. Heard learned Counsel on both sides.

(2.) THIS writ petition highlights the lack of sympathetic consideration for physically challenged persons on the part of the State as well as the Central Government and its authorities.

(3.) THE petitioner is a well qualified person, who, despite the physical challenge nature has inflicted on him by reason of blindness, managed to obtain academical degrees of Bachelors and Masters and sought permission for taking the examination to qualify as a probationary Officer for employment in the respondent-Bank. This was refused to him on the ground that he was visually challenged. The petitioner came before this Court to enforce his rights under the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act" ). By an interim order made on February 11, 1999, this Court directed the first respondent to permit the petitioner to take the probationary examination. Such permission has been given and we are told that with the help of a scribe given by the first respondent, the petitioner has already appeared for the examination the results whereof are awaited.