In a landmark ruling, the Gauhati High Court has annulled the appointments of 935 police constables in Nagaland due to irregularities in the recruitment process. The court found that the recruitment, which took place between January 2018 and October 2019, occurred without the necessary advertisements, leading to allegations of favouritism and violations of procedural guidelines.
Justice Devashis Baruah, who presided over the case, emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in public sector appointments. He ordered the Nagaland government to issue fresh advertisements and ensure the completion of a transparent selection process within six months. The ruling came after an unemployed youth filed a writ petition in 2022, challenging the legitimacy of the appointments.
The court's decision addresses widespread concerns about "backdoor appointments" in the state's law enforcement, which had raised questions about accountability in recruitment practices. The judgement underscores the need for strict adherence to established protocols to ensure fairness for all job seekers.
While the verdict invalidates the appointments, the court has permitted the currently serving constables to continue in their roles for the next six months, allowing time for the selection of their replacements through a proper recruitment process.
This ruling serves as a significant blow to the Nagaland government and highlights the ongoing issues with procedural transparency in public sector hiring. It also sets a precedent for future recruitment processes, reinforcing the need for open and fair competition for government jobs. As per Hindustan Times report, the Nagaland government now faces the challenge of implementing the court's directives while restoring faith in the integrity of its recruitment mechanisms.
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