STATE OF ASSAM Vs. RIMKI BURAGOHAIN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS batch of writ appeals, heard analogously, is directed against the judgment and order dated 12. 12. 2005 disposing of 222 writ petitions filed challenging the legality and validity of selection of constables in the police department of the State. By the impugned judgment and order, the learned Single Judge while upholding selections in respect of 10 districts/battalions has set aside and quashed the selections of other districts/battalions. The writ appeals are against that part of the judgment by which the selections in respect of 15 districts/battalions have been set aside. The appeals have been preferred both by the State as well as by the selected candidates. The districts/battalions, selections of which have been upheld and cancelled are indicated below:<FRM>JUDGEMENT_260_GAULT1_2007Html1.htm</FRM>

(2.) ALTOGETHER 5500 posts of constables were advertised by the State. The posts were meant for all the districts throughout the State. The employment notice dated 21. 8. 2004 was published in the leading newspapers of the State. In the notice, district/battalion wise vacancies with the vacancies meant for the reserved category candidates were indicated. In the notice itself the dates for recruitment rally and the venues thereof in each districts were indicated. The minimum physical standards both for male and female candidates to be eligible for offering candidatures were also indicated. The prescribed qualification was, read upto Class-VIII and the age limit fixed was, between 18-25 years as on 1. 1. 2004 relaxable by three years in case of candidates belonging to SC/st. 10% of the vacancies were to be filled up by women candidates. Further 5% of the vacancies were reserved for compassionate appointments. The selection procedure indicated in the notice is as follows:

(3.) THE employment notice was forwarded to the Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Assam by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam in the Home Department on 11. 8. 2004 and on the same date a notification was issued by the Department conveying the constitution of the Selection Board for selection of candidates for the posts of constables for each districts. The Selection Board was constituted as follows: