KRISHNA HANDIQUE Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this common judgment and order, we propose to dispose of two writ appeals, i.e. W.A. No. 323/2021 and W.A. No. 50/2022, since common questions of law and facts are involved in both these appeals. The facts and circumstances, giving rise to filing of the two writ appeals, as appearing from the materials available on record, shorn of unnecessary details, are narrated here-in-below.

(2.) The Inspector General of Police (Admn.) of Assam Police had published advertisement notice dtd. 20/2/2009 inviting applications for recruitment in the posts of Armed Branch Constable in the Assam Police (for ONGC security) Battalion/ 24thAssam Police (IR) Battalion and 1002 vacant posts of Armed Branch Constable. According to the advertisement notice, the recruitment rally was to be conducted in different Police districts/ Battalions in the month of June, 2009. The advertisement notice, inter alia, provided that 10% of the vacancies would be reserved for women candidates. In response to the advertisement notice dtd. 20/2/2009, a large number of candidates including the writ appellants had submitted their applications. It appears that the appellants are candidates from the Sivasagar district of Assam.

(3.) The selection procedure, which was conducted district-wise, comprised of (a) physical measurement and fitness test and (b) personal interview. After completion of the selection process and publication of the employment notice containing the roll numbers of the selected candidates, as many as 167 unsuccessful candidates, pertaining to Sivasagar district, had approached this Court by filing W.P.(C) No. 2725/2010, inter alia, contending that there were large scale anomalies in the selection process, and by providing cut-off marks subsequently, the respondents had changed the rules of the game.