The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday stayed the State government's recent orders to cancel various recruitments undertaken by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JKPSC) [Deepmala & Ors v State of Jharkhand & Ors[.The State government had taken the decision following student protests over alleged irregularities in the examinations held by the recruiting agencies.However, the decision was challenged by various petitioners, including the successful candidates. These included candidates who had succeeded in the State Civil Services and Food Safety Officer examinations.Justice Deepak Roshan today granted interim relief to the candidates after hearing at least three petitions. He directed that all successful be allowed to continue their work till disposal of the case."So far as the issue of interim protection is concerned; this Court feels that interest of justice and balance of convenience is paramount and in the instant case, the balance of convenience is in favour of the petitioners; inasmuch as, in effect they have been terminated without following any due process of law. Further, operation of this notification is also against public interest," the Court said.It added that regular appointments cannot be disturbed or terminated without following principles of natural justice and that the government order did not reflect any material to justify such drastic steps. The Court also observed that there was no material to show which candidates were involved in corruption. The matter will be heard next on September 15..The government had cancelled 22 examinations conducted by JPSC, JSSC and outsourced agencies. Jharkhand had witnessed a 26-day agitation against irregularities in government exams. The agitation was called off only after the government agreed to various demands of the students..Advocates Indrajit Sinha, Amritansh Vats, Arpan Mishra, Ankit Vishal, Prerna Jhunjhunwala, Kumar Abhishek, Arpan M Ekka, Ashish Choudhary, Rahul Ranjan, Akhouri Sankalp, Sudhanshu Shekhar and Suman Roy represented the petitioners.Senior Additional Advocate General Achyut Keshav with Advocates JF Toppo, Sanjoy Piprawall, Shubhashis Rasik Soren and Kumar Hars represented the State..[Read Orders]
