Marks and Categories of Constable Aspirants to be Published for Physical Tests
In a significant ruling aimed at ensuring transparency in the recruitment process for constables in the West Bengal Police, the Calcutta High Court has directed the state recruitment authority to disclose the marks obtained by candidates in the written examination along with their respective categories. This directive comes in response to a writ petition filed by Chandan Dhara and others, challenging the lack of transparency in the selection process.
Presided over by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, the court examined the recruitment procedures under the West Bengal Police (Recruitment of Constables) Rules, 2024. The petitioners, who appeared for the written test, argued that the list of shortlisted candidates for the Physical Measurement Test (PMT) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) did not include crucial details such as marks and categories, which they believed were essential for a fair and transparent selection process.
The recruitment notification dated 5th March 2024 had initially shortlisted 60,178 candidates for the PMT and PET phases, but the absence of marks and category details raised concerns among the aspirants. Petitioners contended that revealing these particulars would uphold transparency and fairness, a stance supported by previous Supreme Court judgments.
The State of West Bengal, represented by Additional Advocate General Mr. Amal Kumar Sen, opposed the petition, citing that premature disclosure of marks could impact equal opportunity during the subsequent viva voce phase. They relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Harkirat Singh Ghuman v. Punjab and Haryana High Court, which suggested that revealing marks before viva voce could lead to bias.
However, Justice Bhattacharyya distinguished the present case from the precedent cited by the state. He noted that unlike the Ghuman case, the recruitment process for constables included additional phases - PMT and PET - between the written test and viva voce. Therefore, the written examination served as the foundation for participation in PMT and PET, necessitating transparency at this stage.
The court emphasized that failing to disclose marks and categories could result in genuine candidates losing the opportunity to advance in the selection process. Consequently, the recruitment authority was directed to publish a revised list with all necessary details within seven days to maintain integrity and transparency.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for candidates aspiring to join the West Bengal Police, ensuring that merit and fairness remain at the forefront of the recruitment process.
Bottom Line:
Recruitment for the post of Constable in West Bengal Police - Transparency in selection process requires disclosure of marks obtained by candidates in written examination and their respective categories in the list published for Physical Measurement Test (PMT) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
Statutory provision(s): West Bengal Police (Recruitment of Constables) Rules, 2024
Chandan Dhara v. State of West Bengal, (Calcutta) : Law Finder Doc id # 2848590
