Jharkhand HC stays cancellation of JSSC-CGL appointments, allows employees to continue working
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 21: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday stayed the operation of the state government’s August 18…
Justice Deepak Roshan
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 21: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday stayed the operation of the state government’s August 18 notification cancelling recruitments made under Advertisement No. 10/2023, observing that regular appointments cannot be disturbed or terminated without following the principles of natural justice.
Justice Deepak Roshan, hearing W.P.(S) No. 6521 of 2026, said the impugned notification did not reflect material sufficient to justify the “drastic steps” taken by the government.
The court also directed the state government to allow the petitioners and other similarly placed employees affected by the notification to continue working until further orders.
High Court Stays Government’s Cancellation Order
The petition was filed by Ramesh Oraon and others challenging Notification No. 06/LO.S.A.-01-07/5408 of 2026, dated August 18, through which the government had cancelled recruitments made pursuant to Advertisement No. 10/2023.
The petitioners submitted that they had been duly appointed through the recruitment process but their services were suddenly discontinued following the government’s decision.
Their counsel, Indrajit Sinha, argued that the government had not followed the principles of natural justice before taking such a drastic decision. He also alleged that the action had been taken under pressure.
After hearing both sides, the court observed that a regular appointment cannot be disturbed or terminated without following due process.
CID Probe Into Recruitment Irregularities Underway
Appearing for the state, Advocate General Rohitashya Roy said that although the government had not yet filed its counter-affidavit, an in-depth investigation had already been initiated by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) following allegations made by citizens.
He informed the court that several arrests had also been made during the investigation.
The Advocate General submitted that the recruitment issue was of significant public importance and requested that a fixed timeline be prescribed for filing the counter-affidavit, rejoinder and hearing so that the matter could be resolved at the earliest and confusion among candidates and the public could be avoided.
The state also maintained that there had been widespread irregularities in the recruitment process and that the cancellation of the appointments was therefore justified.
Court Finds Balance of Convenience in Favour of Petitioners
Justice Roshan said the court was prima facie of the view that the regular appointments could not be terminated without adhering to the principles of natural justice.
The court noted that the impugned order did not disclose material justifying the drastic action taken by the government. It also took note of the fact that the CID investigation was already underway.
On interim protection, the court held that the balance of convenience was in favour of the petitioners, as their services had effectively been terminated without following due process of law.
The court further observed that continuing the operation of the notification would be against public interest.
Affected Employees Allowed to Continue Working
The High Court stayed the operation, implementation and execution of the August 18 notification concerning Advertisement No. 10/2023 until further orders.
The Advocate General was directed to inform the concerned department that the petitioners, as well as other similarly situated persons affected by the notification, should be allowed to continue working until the writ petition is decided.
The court, however, imposed a condition on the petitioners. They have been directed to file an affidavit or undertaking stating that any final order passed by the trial court in the connected criminal case would be binding on them.
The court made it clear that the government would remain free to take appropriate action in accordance with law based on the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
State to File Counter-Affidavit by September 7
The High Court directed the respondents to file their counter-affidavit by September 7, 2026, including details of the CID investigation and any further developments.
The petitioners have been given until September 14 to file their rejoinder.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 15, 2026, at 12:15 pm.
