2,500 candidates’ careers hang in balance as Jharkhand HC flags slowdown in JPSC-JSSC recruitment probe
SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA Ranchi, September 15: The careers of more than 2,500 candidates hang in the balance as the Jharkhand High Court…
SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, September 15: The careers of more than 2,500 candidates hang in the balance as the Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday flagged the slowing pace of the investigation into alleged mass irregularities in a recruitment process and directed that the matter be taken up again on September 18.
Justice Deepak Roshan, hearing a batch of petitions challenging the cancellation of the appointments, observed that the investigation had initially progressed at a fast pace but had subsequently slowed down. The court said that in a case involving such serious allegations, the investigation should proceed not only quickly but also “in a good pace”.
State seeks four weeks, court fixes early hearing
The State sought at least four weeks’ time to file its counter-affidavit, with its counsel submitting that the ongoing criminal investigation was making it difficult to file a reply at this stage.
The court, however, did not grant the requested four-week period and fixed the matter for September 18, along with several connected writ petitions involving the same recruitment dispute.
The court also made it clear that if proper instructions were not received by the next hearing, the Advocate General would assist the court on the point of law.
Court flags slowing pace of investigation
A status/progress report on the criminal investigation was submitted by the Advocate General in a sealed cover. The court opened and perused the report before sealing it again.
The report was taken on record but was not shared with the petitioners’ counsel.
After examining it, the court observed that the investigation had initially moved at a fast pace but that its progress had subsequently decreased.
“In this case and in such type of serious cases, the investigation should be fast; not only fast, but in a good pace,” the court observed.
HC to examine legality of cancellation
Justice Roshan clarified that the writ court’s immediate concern was the legality or illegality of the notification by which the appointments of more than 2,500 candidates had been affected.
The court noted that the recruitment advertisement itself had been cancelled and, consequently, the appointments made pursuant to it stood cancelled.
However, it stressed that the existence of allegations of mass bungling did not mean that every appointed candidate had indulged in malpractice.
“It cannot be said that all the persons who have been appointed have indulged in malpractice,” the court observed, adding that there were also genuine candidates who had not been appointed because of the alleged malpractice.
Careers of over 2,500 candidates at stake
The court underlined the seriousness of the matter, observing that ultimately it has to decide the legality or otherwise of the notification “whereby the career of more than 2500 candidates is at stake.”
The matter has been listed for further hearing along with W.P.(S) Nos. 6450, 6514, 7137, 6521, 7106, 7133, 7134, 7135, 7136, 6451, 6452, 6515 and 6512 of 2026.
Interim relief to continue
The court ordered that the interim relief granted earlier would continue until further orders.
The case is Subhash Murmu & Others versus State of Jharkhand through the Chief Secretary and Others.
