OMWATI Vs. STATE OF MP

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BECAUSE similar facts and common question with regard to cancellation of selection of Patwaris involved in Writ Petitions No. 4274/07 jitendra Singh and others vs. State of M. P. and others; 4282/07 Bhagwanlal sharma and others vs. State of M. P. and others; 4342/07 Nisar Mohammad and others vs. State of M. P. and others: 4455/07 Rekhraj Arya vs. State of M. P. and others including the present petition, hence all the petitions have been heard together and are being decided by this common order. For the purpose of facts, the facts of Writ Petition No. 4308 of 2007 have been taken into consideration.

(2.) THE Collector Sheopur vide a notification, copy of which has been filed as Annexure P-7, advertised seventy seven posts for Patwaris for selection for patwari training. Out of aforesaid posts, eight posts were reserved for scheduled castes candidates, nine for OBC candidates and sixty for general category candidates. It was mentioned in the notification that selection of candidates shall be made on the basis of merit and written examination. For the purpose of written examination there would be a question paper of 200 marks and duration of examination would be three hours. All the questions will be in objective form and will carry one mark for each question. Total eight subjects had been notified for composition of question paper. In pursuance to the aforesaid notification near about 861 candidates applied for appearing in the examination and 801 candidates appeared in the written examination which was held on 24-12-2006. The result of the examination was declared on 26-12-2006. Accordingly, seventy seven candidates had been selected and eleven candidates kept in waiting list. Total seventy five selected candidates filed the present petitions. The selected candidates were sent on training at Patwari Training Centre, Morena. They joined training on 2-1-2007 and completed training on 31-8-2007 at Training Centre, morena. Thereafter, they were directed to complete soother three months at collectorate, district Sheopur, Thereafter, vide order dated 3-9-2007 the selection of the petitioners have cancelled on the ground that at larger scale illegalities were committed during selection of the petitioners.

(3.) THE respondents in the return have stated that after publication of final selection list of Patwaris number of complaints received by the Authorities and there was a widespread agitation amongst public. In newspapers also reports were published that there was a corruption in the selection process. The marks of the candidates have been changed, at the instance of the Collector the answer-sheets were revalued and most of the selected candidates had been favoured. Copies of the newspapers have also been filed along with the return. As per the news paper cuttings there was a wide spread agitation at Sheopur against the selection by the candidates and allegations have been levelled against the process of selection and subsequently in valuation of answer sheets.