[UP SI recruitment scam] 'Selection process to continue, will be subject to final orders by court ': Allahabad High Court

In the writ petition challenging the selection process for three posts in the state police service, initiated in February last year, the Allahabad High Court has directed that the selection process may go on but the selection and appointment made will be subject to the final orders in the writ petition.

The selection process for the post of Sub-Inspectors (Civil Police), Platoon Commanders (PAC) and Fire Second Officers was initiated last year, however, when the online written exam was conducted, it was found that a solvers' gang was active in connivance with the Exam Centre Managers and it was helping in getting candidates selected illegally.

Consequently, as many as 31 FIRs were lodged in respect of various offences committed during the aforesaid selection process by the State agencies. In some of the FIRs, few candidates who had been declared successful in the online written examination were also made accused.

Therefore, alleging that malpractices and irregularities in the online written examination were so large that it is impossible to filter the tainted and untainted candidates, 50 candidates moved the high court seeking a stay on the selection process.

The petitioners contended that once the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF), which is investigating the matter, has itself lodged an FIR indicating a nexus between the candidates, Managers of examination centers, the solver gang and the firm which was authorized to conduct the examination, it is apparent that the entire online examination is tainted and the selection process has been conducted against the basic principle of fairness and equality.

Taking note of the contentions raised, the bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi held that the matter requires consideration and directed the opposite parties to file counter affidavit.

Meanwhile, Court ordered that the process will continue, however, it will be subject to the final orders passed in the instant writ petition.

Case Title: Ravendra Pratap Singh And 49 Others v. State Of U.P. Thru. Add. Chief Secy. Deptt. Of Home Civil Secrtt. Lko And 11 Others