Guwahati, 21st September: In a landmark decision, the Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench has annulled the appointments of 935 police constables, recruited between January 2018 and October 2019, citing the absence of requisite public advertisements. The ruling, delivered by Justice Devashis Baruah, calls for a fresh recruitment process in adherence to legal norms.
The verdict came in response to a writ petition filed by unemployed youth from Kohima and Chümoukedima districts in 2022, who claimed the appointments were made through “backdoor methods” without fair competition. Justice Baruah directed the Nagaland government to advertise the new recruitment drive widely in local newspapers to ensure transparency and equal opportunity for all candidates.
The court has given the state government six months to complete the recruitment process. In a move to balance fairness, the annulled constables will be allowed to participate in the new selection process with an upper age limit relaxation. However, the ruling emphasized that no exceptions will be made regarding basic qualifications or physical standards.
To minimize disruption, the court has permitted the current constables to remain in service for six months or until new appointments are finalized, whichever comes first. This ensures continuity while paving the way for a lawful recruitment process.
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