STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Justice Janak Raj Kotwal of J and K High Court Jammu Wing in a petition challenging the selection of Legal Assistant, stay the selection and appointment of private respondent.
During the course of hearing Advocate Nitin Bhasin for the petitioner submitted that petitioner qualified the written test conducted by the Board and was shortlisted for the interview. Thereafter the petitioner appeared for the interview on 16th May, 2016 along with original qualification certificates as required in terms of the Advertisement Notice. The committee did not conduct the interview of the petitioner on the scheduled date for the reason that the petitioner was holding the State Subject of Tehsil Mendhar District Poonch issued to her before marriage and had not obtained the State subject after her marriage in District Jammu. The petitioner filed writ petition before this Court wherein a direction was issued by this Court to the respondent to conduct the interview of the petitioner but the respondents without conducting the interview of the petitioner in terms of the court orders issued the select list, whereby the respondent No.4 has been selected for the post of Legal Assistant, District Cadre, Jammu who is far less meritorious as compared to the petitioner in terms of qualification and experience.
Justice J.R Kotwal observed that counsel for the petitioner and has been noticed with displeasure, if it is true, that order dated 17th May, 2016 issued by this Court in SWP No. 1042/2016 whereby respondent-Services Selection Board was directed to allow the petitioner to take part in the interview notwithstanding that the Permanent Resident Certificate in her favour has been issued from District Poonch, has not been complied with even though copy of the order passed by this Court was served upon the Board on 17th May, 2016. Instead the Court issued the Select List in August, 2016, which, it is alleged was not published in any newspaper and completed the selection process and Rahil Raja, counsel for the private respondent passes on copy of Government Order dated 23rd September, 2016, whereby the private respondent has been appointed and is said to have joined also, which is taken on the record.
Justice Kotwal observed that a strong case for showing indulgence has been found and ordered that subject to objections and till next date before the Bench, impugned selection and consequent appointment of the private respondent shall stay.