SUBHASHREE SUNDAR RAY Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the present writ application, the petitioner seeks for issuance of a rule NISI calling upon the Opposite Parties to show cause as to why the impugned office order dtd. 10/5/2022 under Annexure-3 shall not be quashed and further for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the Opposite Party No.2 to allow the petitioner to attend the selection process before finalizing the selection process for appointment of the selected candidates to the post of Assistant Manager (Admn./MSME).

(2.) Bereft of all necessary details, the factual background case leading to filing the present writ application, in gist, is that the Opposite Party No.2 floated an advertisement for recruitment to the post of Assistant Manager (Admn./MSME) on regular basis. In total 14 numbers of posts were advertised to be filled up. Out of which 3 posts for ST category including 1 for women, 2 posts for SC category including 1 for women, 2 posts for SEBC category including 1 for women and 7 posts for UR category including 2 for women. The Petitioner, who belongs to the SEBC women category, submitted her candidature for the advertised post through online mode on 29/10/2021. On 5/1/2022, the Opposite Party No.2 after due scrutiny of the application forms conducted a written test and interview of all the candidates including the petitioner. The petitioner was successful in the written test and interview conducted by the Opposite Party No.2 and accordingly she was asked to be present on 24/2/2022 for verification of certificate/ documents on 27/4/2022 at 11A.M. and accordingly the petitioner attended the verification of certificate process as directed by Opposite Party No.2

(3.) While this was the ground scenario, the petitioner received a letter dtd. 10/5/2022. Whereunder she was intimated that her candidature has been forfeited on the ground that she is not a simple graduate rather she is having professional degree. It is alleged that the impugned order forfeiting the candidature of the petitioner is illegal, arbitrary and in complete violation of the principle of natural justice. It has also been stated in the writ application that the impugned conduct of the Opposite Parties are contrary to the principles laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court as well as this Court. Being aggrieved by the forfeiture of her candidature the petitioner has approached this Court by filing the present writ application.