ANUBHAV WALIA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner has sought directions to the respondents to keep age limit at least in terms of Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as `the Rules of 1994') viz. 18-33 years for appointment to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police. He has also sought directions to consider his name for the physical test and interview to be held on 7th and 8th May, 2012 for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

(2.) UNDISPUTEDLY, the petitioner, who was born on 19.11.1978, was more than 28 years of age on 1.1.2009, the cut-off date as specified in the Advertisement (Annexure P-1) issued by Punjab Public Service Commission, Patiala, whereby applications were invited from eligible candidates for recruitment by Combined Competitive Examination to various posts, i.e., Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch), Deputy Superintendent of Police, Excise & Taxation Officer, Tehsildar, Food Supply and Consumer Affairs Officer and other allied services. As per Condition No.3 in the Advertisement, except for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police, the age requirement for the other posts was 21-35 years, and in case of appointment to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police, the candidate was required to have attained the minimum age of 21 years and should not have attained the age of 28 years as on 1.1.2009. The said qualification of age limit (21-28 years) is in accordance with the Punjab Police Service Rules, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as `the Rules of 1959'). However, he was fully eligible for the Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) and other allied services. As such, on the relevant date, the petitioner was not eligible for being considered for appointment to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

(3.) IT is the case of the petitioner that he is not being considered for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police on the ground that he is more than 28 years of age.