r 485 9 1 lN THE HIGH COTRT OF PtJNJAB HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 12 DateofDecision222010 1 GurveerSiongh and another emPetiti oners Versus StateofPunjaband others CORAM HONBLE MRJUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI 1 0 Present Mr AlS Jattana Advocate for the 0 C Mr BS Chahal DG Punjab 32 Mr GauravShanna Advocotefor noA C5 1 Illti et Z LLJ1QR8 PERMOD KOHLLJ 9 Selection of noA and 5 to the post of constablein 0 relaxationof the has been 111 I a5 this writ The pelitloners and privatc applied for 00 selection to thepostof collsflhle spolIslPunjab Armed Police OAPI lll 4t 7 to the advertiselnentilsLIedbythe Chairman CcntralRecruitment Z 7 BoardPlayer PunjabPolice JaltindllarCantt in newspaper 111 m its issue dated2902007 Through thlsadvertisenlentone renlporarypost of Asstt Sub and65 postsof constableslSportsl were advertised The mlnimuln educational in the advertisemenlfor CP tllepostof constable is 1042 or equiilentalongwitli Matriculatiortwith from the recognized BoardlUnivei sity Ihe ae limit for the post was notified between 18 to 25 vears from the datc of initiation rf with 5 years relaxatlcn for tllc candidatesbeloriOIn 70 ScheduledCastesandSchcduledTrlbes in occordatlcewith the ee Govt instructionsirulesThe advertisemenlalsoprescibcd the Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 1 486 00 1 4Z C CWP Noe 2564of2008 en2e physical sloandardslike heightand chest in tohefollowlng mannerl For Boysl L ight 9 x 7 Chest 33 x 34 W ForGi Helght 5 x 3 1 Q Weight 50Kgs 0 Since the posts WCre constables tlle sports C 1 aehievements for constableshavebccnspecified as underl CA0 3 CONSTABLE 4 1 Thecandidateshouldtlave nationallevei Z fromhisStatelAllIndiaInter r 2 Preference will bc givento thosecandidateswho are still Indioor oblainedlwonmedallsill national andAll 1ndialntcr lJnivelsitylevel 08 The advertisernenthas further thernodeof selectioll Qo ofthecandidatesin para7 thereofwhichreadsas under w Z MODE OF SELECTJON Ll i9 Firstlylrial of collcemedevent of the playerwill be conductedand if the player 1isnot folllldflt lhen tlle furlher proceeding of will not be conducted Thcrcatler intcrview will be conducted of the selectedcandidates The helpof any expertperson can be tken by tlle C Chainnanof tloeBoard at thetime of trial andthe interviewconcerning to thatevent iil The attestedcopiesofthe certiflcateoftlle selected candidates will be checkedafterthetrial iiil Physicaltstwill heconductedofthe successful candidales afterscriitinyrheattestedcerti8cates Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 487 0 i F t CWP No 2564 of2008 3m ivl The selection for the will loeconducti on the basisof last acloievementspresenlo andt0he shown in the trial takenbythe Board ofthe playerThe selection will not be madeon onc basis 93 The claim thattheyare frointhe sportsdisciplineof Boxingand were fully as their qualiOcation age and 1 physical standardsetc 130ththe were calledfor trialsregarding r their physicalmeasurements and theywere found thc requisite 0 0 physicalslandards Thcywerc callcd for iiltcrview vide Ietter dated 18122007copiesofthe silme Illlvc bcen placed on record as Annexures l C5 I 10 and Pml1 The petitioners beforethe Committee Z alongwith their documenlos It is clilinled that tohey well in the lntenIlewe have also rcfcrredthe of a5 1104loand 5 It is statcdthat llotll of tlhembelongto Boxingdiscipline e no is also 4om the satnc villageas that ofthe nol 7 Z lt is alleged that 1105wnsonly10 passed Il noA had lcss heightthan lhe rcquired5 x 7 and despitle dcOcieilt in qualillcation and physicolstandiirds noA and 5 have been selectedin contraventionofthe laid dnwn norms In the resI declared on 12008 Annexure1121thc petitioners have not been shown amongst 4m theselectees whereas no 4 and 5 find their placein the selcct list at Sr Nos 20 and 21 Having been denied the to the postof constablessportslOlepetitioners nave filedthis petitionseeking sctw aside uf selection of no and 5 with a further direcllon to considcr lllc for thc posi and select thelnon thebasis ofllheircligibility ondnlerit Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 488 1 4 e6 N 2564 of2008 a4e no1 to 3 tee the officlal have Oled theirdelailedreply thecandidatureofthe petitioners and selection of noA and 5 on the post in questionIt is stated that lhe selection was madebya Board constitutedfor the purpose The Board has assessedthe ofeach candidatein a fair and transparent inanner and inade selectioll on merits takinginto consideration the sports 1 achievelnents 111interviewand trial The detailsof the marks 0 awardedlo the and private havebeengivenin para8 0 C ofthe replyin thefollowing mannerl C5 MAB Sr NaIne Achievements Trials Interview Total Max201 0Maxl0l 4ax701 1 1GutveerSingll 05 27 06 38 PetitionerNoI 2 1KuldeepSingll 05 26 06 37 08 Petitionerno 3 KtilwinderSingh 10 32 08 50 mm t r 10 4 ParminderSingh 20 25 05 50 Z nol 0 Thcse have however admitled in para 9 of tlle replythat even theminiinum educationalqualicationfor thepost of constablesportslwas 1042 andtheheight as 5 x 7 however Ge 00 measuredhis height8S 5 x 5 and the educalional of no was 10 standard It is however slated that both these were givena chanceto coInpeteat the Oeld trial Slnce theirpreviousportsachievetnentswere goodand both of thenl appeared to be cnndldatcsto the I3oord They well at Oeldtrials On llrldlngthattheyhavesufllcienl Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 489 6 d 91 441 r0 CWP No 2564 of2008 5 marks their naines were recommended to Police Punjabvide Memo No 35071PACdatl 172008 with lfor necessary relaxatlloll 111 heightlll respectof nuA and educational qualification ltl respectof no The 10irector Generalof Police Punjabvidc his ofOceTPM No 2133341EmIvl dated 622008 approved the enlistomentof noA and 5 by granOtlg relaxation allegedlyunderPunjabPolice Rule 121 5 in respectof 0 the aforesaid as also in case of some other candidates C have also disclosed the sports of the as C5 I well of tlle private in para 11 of tlle replyto demonstratetllat theprivate hodbcler achievementsthanthepetitioners Z Even lhoughthc have filed their replication but theyhave onlyrcitcrated tohccoilcntlons raised in tlle wioit til i011 aIld I 08 notlling sulostantialin rebulltalhas colne in thereplication placcdonrecordcopy oforderNo of2007 7 to recruitlnent of constablessponslin PunjabPolice as Annexure Z R1 The of thc Recruitmcnt Board for recruitinent of tl is given Thc Board is hcadedby an offlcer of the rank of General of Police as Chairman DeputyInspectorGeneral Meinber Coinrnandant 7 Batloalion Pujab Aiined l7olice ee Cantt Member Director SportsPunjabMelnber and one police recipientof ArjunAward in the filed of sports The physical standards are tlle sameas notified ill the advertisement SO 1S thepositionin respectto lhe cducational and age as also tllesportsachievclnents Rule 125 of the PlinjabPolice Rulesdeals 140itll t0he recruitsageandphysical slandardsI etc atldrcads as underl Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 490 1W CWP No 2564 of2008 e 44 12 RecruilsAgeandphysical standards 1 Recruitsshall be not more than 25 or less than 18 yearsof age O7orHry Recruitos shall not be less thatl 18 yearsand ilot more than27 yearsof age Noloillcationdated 1431 984l at the time of eilrolment and shall have a llllllllllUlTl of 5x7 and normal chest ineasuremenl of 33 with of 112inches Thesephysical standardsshall not be relaxed 1 withoultlle general or special sanctionofthe DeputyInspectorGeneral A 0 reduction of tllc standardtnay be allowed byDeputyIlspectors C Generalin the case of specialcastes or classeswhich providedesirable C5 recruitsbut whose generalhcighldoes not come up to that ln such cases a standardof ctlestmcasurement and general physique shall be Z fixed which will permilthe clllisloment of strongand 02 of tlle class in question The General may in special I clrcumstances to berecordedin writingrelax the uppcr age limit and Ole a5 standardsin thecase ofrecruits meo The aforesaldrule prescribesthe age Iimit the physical Z standards and chest mcasurements The advertisementissued by tlle containedthe satne age limit physicalstandardsas under the above rule The aforesaid rule further prollibits relaxationof standardswithoutthe general or specialsanction of eV of special class or classes theDIG Suchrelaxationis pemissible lll case wllich desirable recluits The power is also conferredupon the Generalto relax the uppcr age limit and thephysical standardslll case of recruitsunder speclal to bc recordedin writing The official in thelr rcplyhovc also relied upon this very rule 1 27151 tioclaim a rclaxallonin case noA and 5 l t is Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 491 r Il CWP No 2564 of2008 e peinentt 110tethat rule does not providefor relaxation in and minilnutn age With a view to flnd out the reasons for relaxallon the record was summoned have the rocord It appearsthat while recolninendallons to thecompetentauthol merit lists of selected 0 candidateson sportsbasisWCre for each disciplineof 0 sportsIn so far thediscipline of Boxingis concerned Kulwinder Singh C0 noA was foullddellcicntin heightbyl75 inchesand in cllest by C0 lxl inch whcreasPanniIlderSingh no was found deflcient in Cr educallonal In thecoloumn of remarksno remarksare given Z The comtnunicationdatocd17 2008 rom the Chairinan of the Central C Board 6sports InspectorGeneralof Police PAP r Jalandhar to the DirecloorGeneralofPolice Punjab revealsthato 08 some candidateswere less over age under age less me 111lllCaSUrelnentsof heightandchestand some havingllOtlpassedPunjabi Z for and the l ist enclosedalong were witll such communicationonlv the deflciencies but 110 reasons are seeking relaxalon The have also placed on 17ecord copyof the Oonalordei passed un behalfof the Director Generalof Police Ca Punjabgranting relaxallotlos AlloilexureR23 Fromthepcrusaloftlie afolrsaid orderit appearsthat the omce of Director Genetealof Police hassiinply relaxalionandno reasons whalosoeverhavebeen recorded It is also revealcd that out of 65 relaxotionhasllecn accurdedin 2is Inany as 37 cases no and5 Rule 12715which inter alialaysdown Ille Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 492 V 25640f2008 3 eligibility criterion for selection to the postof constable tllough relaxations but in respectltothe uppcr age liinit heightand cllest onlI tllat t00 by recording ClrCUlnstanccs for such relaxation ineaning therebythe reasons to granl relaxalon ln the presentcase from the scanningof the entire recordit appcarstllat no reason much less a valid reason has been recorded It is onlyin replyOled by that Some reasons are 1 sought to bc introduccd As noticed above the relaxaton has been 0 C3 111aS inanyas 37 cases 1eCeIvlorethat 50010candidateshavebeen selectedby relaxation whcreas tllc eligiblecandidateswere available in C5 I abundanceFrom the record it has olso been revealedthat therewere 1950 At the flrstplacehow tlle applicalion formsof the Z 11005who was not quolifiedhasbeen entertainedNothing 4 hasbeenmentionedin thc replynorIS availablein the record Rule l215 3 08 onl permitsrelaxal of uIopci agc limit heightand chest llhat to00 in cases undervalid circumstances This rule does n01 pcrmlt 4 7 relaxation in the educationiil Nothingis revealedhow the Z Qm miiliinum educational of n05 has been relaxcd The advertlsement 1042 as the minimum qualitlcation Hnce there lS 110 of gront of any relaxation in mini inum The of no IS totallyunjusti8ed and lS lll controllention of Rule 1215 and advertisemenl c noliceandis vlolative ofArticles 14 and 16 oflhe Constillutionoflndia Even the relaxation has been for lleightand chestboth in case of noA but no reasons are recordedin the orderolfgrallting relaxation Grant of reloxatil is not at tlle clloice HlhilllS anddiscretion of the authoritiesnor tlllerulespermit so Honlole Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 1 493 9 CWPNo 2564 of2008 m Courtn following cases hasheld as under 1 4 SCC Ram SakhiDevi v StatcofllP 644 The postof HeadmasterunderSection16E621hasto be fillecl in bypromotion or bydirect recruitlmentaRer due publication by the Committee The provisoto subesection3l should not be usedas a routille for exemptingthe persons who were not of the requisite r as a shortroute to appoint personsto the post of 0 Hadmaster lt should be used and not as a routiile wilh all C I reasooils for such an whlcll would besubject review C5 I 2 19971 6 SCC titled os Dr Ami Lal Bhat V StateofRaiasthan 44 Thepower of relaxation is to be exercisedin public Z in a givencase as for exainplcif otheorsuitablecandidatesare not Q available for the post and thc onlycandidatewho is suitablehas crosscd tlle I maxnnum or to mitigalcllardshipin a givencase Such a 5 relaxation111special circumstmlccS of a givencase is to beexercisedbythe 47 administrationaer referrlllgtllat caseto the Rajasthan Public Seivice Z Commission There cannot be any wholesale relaxation becausethe Om advertisementis dlayed or becauscthcvacancy occurredearlier espccially when thereis no of any tnalafides in connection with any delay in issuingan advertisemcnt This kiild of power of wholesalerelaxation IeewO would make for total ln the maximum age of a candidate Itmightbe unfairto a largeilumber ofcandidateswho mighlbe sitouatedbllt who may not applythinki theythe are We fail to see how thepower of relaxationcan be exercisedin the manner COlltCllded Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document e m10 3 200618 SCC 675 titled as KendriyaVidyalaya SajalKuinar Roy 4t Age 1imit is for to the general of The upper ageIilnit for to tlle postof LDC is 25 years The advertisemenllalso says Soe The Rules as noticed hereinbelbre are 111two parts The flrst parttalks aloouthe age limit The 1 secondpartprovides for relaxation Suchrelaxationcan be for tlle 0 0 purpose specifiedie in favour of those wllo answeredthe dcscriptions I statedtlhereiil Relaxallionof age limit evcn ln relationto ScheduledCastes C5 and ScheduledTribes candidatesor tlle RetrenchedCentralGovernment 4 includingthe defence is however not automatic The Z 2 are reqllired to opplytheir inind while exercisiigtlleit to relox the age lilnitos Discretlon of tlle 2 08 authorities is too1c cxercisedonlyfor deserving candidatesand uponrecommendationsofthe Appointing CommitteelSelection Committee mVo The to comply wilh thc rules it is trite were to be Z 0 complied with irlyand Tlleywerebound bythe rules The coulclbe exclcised for relaxationof age provided forin therulesandwithlnlhc four corners thereof As do not come withinthe purviewof llhecxceptioncontalnedin Article 45 of the Education Code 111OUf opiniontbe Tribunal and the Higll C Courtcommilted a manifesterror in issuingtlle aforementioned dircctlons 4e 1993 639SCT 178 titled as State of Orissa V Sukailti hapatra Rule 14 mercly permilsiclaxatioilof any of rhe oftheRules in publicintcrestlut nclt rhet0111sllelvingofthe Rules The e Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 495 r CWP No 2564 of2008 11e 4 ordersdo not say whicll rule or rules and in publicinterestto relax Wllat hasbeen done under tlle inlpugned orders is to theillegalentryinto service as if the Rules were notin existence Besides the reasons for So cloingare not set out 110 1S it clear how such can subeservepublicinterest Rule 14 has to be strictlyconstructedand proper foundation must be laid 1 Q oforthe exerciseof powcr undcr that rule Thc Rules have a Iimited role to 0 C playnamelyto regulate tlhe method of recruitmenl and Rule 14 enables theGovernmentt relaxany of the of the Rules pertaining C5 I to iaecruitment The of Rule 14 in the context of theobjectiveof C the Rules does not pcrmittotal of the Rules and recruitmeill Z dehors tlle Rules In the prcsentcase the recruitmentshad taken place 0 e yearsback in total of theRules and 110W what is soughtto be I 08 done is t0 regularise the illegalentlV in exerciseofpowerunder Rule 14 oo Rule 14 we are afraid docsnot colIfer such a blanket power its scope lS 7 limitedtio relaxingany rule cg eligibilitycriteria or lhe like but it Z cannot be understood to Government to throw the Rules C1 overboard Ifthe rule is so constructedit may n01 standthe test ofArtoicle 14 ofthe Constitution The provisoto Rule 13 can come into playin lhe inatter of fixation betweencandidateswho have ee clearedthe examinationonda candidatewho cleared the examiilationaOein availing of the benefit of relaxation We arc tllereforeofllle opinion that the Tribunal committcd no crror in thc purIoort of Rulc 140 13 Thusit is settlcd that the rclaxationis butitohas to bewithin thepresincts of the law A specific nile is in Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document r 12 1 existence the relaxation The relaxation hasto be witlllhc lnandate of the rule whicll inter alia for recordingof reasons No reasons have been recordcd Recording ofreasonslsthe soul of lhe validityof action as it tendsto dcnlonstratethcnecessityof relaxation 111particular case or in if so requiredGranting relaxationwilhout anyvalid reasonwith thesole object benefitto few at the cost 1 C ofthosewho are otherwiseeligibleis under law 0 From tllcrccord ilt appcarsthat a numberof candidateshave C I beengrantled relaxationdehorsthe rules but all such beneOciariesare not C5 I Ioeforethis Court While the case of noA and 5 will Ioe dealtwi th in accordailcewitll tlle directions herein above a11such Z of rclaxation wi11 be also dealt with in the 1ighto f the 2 observationsmadellerein tllis The competentautlloritywill I a5 lSsue notice to all such candidates who are beneflciariesof illegal relaxation and atlcrprovidingtlhein of beingheard theyshall W3 bedealtwith in the same manner as noA and 5 Z of the ahovc circumstances the selection of In view Qm noA and5 is notosustoinaloleIn law and is liable to be I orderaccordinglyTllispctitioriis allowed The will consider the nextmei7itoriouscandidatein the ordcr of merit oe againsl the vacancieson account of of selection of noAand 5 and passthe orderwithin a periodoftwo nlonths 1 e 4PERMODKOHL11 JUDGI5 2e22010 lucky Le Whether to bereported to the Yes Pooja 2014.01.08 12:11 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:51 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document