Srinagar, Jan 10 (JKNS): In a landmark judgment bringing closure to a nearly two-decade-old recruitment process, the Supreme Court of India has given its final approval for completion of the long-stalled Jail Warders recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir, providing major relief to hundreds of aspirants waiting since 2005.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, refusing to interfere with the judgment of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. With this, the apex court has given finality to the High Court’s directions to complete the recruitment process, as per news agency JKNS.
The case stems from a December 21, 2023 judgment of the J&K and Ladakh High Court, which had upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) order quashing the government’s decision to cancel the 2005 recruitment for 73 posts of Warders in the Prisons Department. The High Court had strongly criticised the authorities for cancelling the recruitment after it had reached an advanced stage and for keeping essential posts vacant for years.
The High Court noted that candidates had applied pursuant to the 2005 advertisement, cleared physical and outdoor tests in 2010, and subsequently appeared in literacy tests and document verification in January 2011. Despite successful completion of all stages, the final merit list was never issued. Instead, the selection process was cancelled in February 2019—after more than 13 years—on the pretext of procedural irregularities.
Rejecting the government’s justification, the High Court observed that the Department of Law had twice advised that once a selection process had substantially progressed, it could not be cancelled. The Court further held that there were no allegations of fraud, malpractice or unfair means against the candidates and that any procedural defects could have been rectified without scrapping the entire process.
Taking note of the severe prejudice caused to aspirants—many of whom had crossed the upper age limit—the High Court directed the authorities to complete the recruitment within three months and adopt a fair and sympathetic approach, considering that the posts were advertised nearly 20 years ago.
With the Supreme Court dismissing the SLP, the High Court’s directions have now attained finality, removing all legal hurdles and paving the way for completion of the long-pending Jail Warders recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The verdict is being seen as a significant reaffirmation of fairness, accountability and the rule of law in public recruitment processes. (JKNS)
