The Bombay High Court has issued a contempt notice to the Director of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), R G Singh, expressing deep “displeasure” over the “audacity” of government officials to willfully disobey judicial mandates. The court’s action follows the failure of the commission to induct two aspiring candidates into training programs for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF), despite explicit court orders to do so.
The case originated from petitions filed by two Pune residents, Sushant Sarode and Aniket Jadhav. The duo sought induction into the training programs of the CISF and BSF. However, they were initially refused admission following a physical examination where authorities claimed their heights did not meet the prescribed limits.
Upon reviewing the matter, the High Court previously observed that the height difference cited by the authorities was “minuscule.” Consequently, the court ordered that the petitioners be inducted into the training programme. Despite these directions, Sarode and Jadhav remained excluded, prompting further judicial intervention.
A division bench comprising Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Hiten Venegaonkar noted with concern that the SSC Director had not only failed to comply with the induction order but had also failed to appear before the court despite being directed to do so.
The bench remarked on a worrying trend of non-compliance within government sectors. “We are appalled by the fact that the tendency to disobey orders of the High Court is growing to such an extent that hundreds of contempt petitions are being registered each year,” the court stated. The judges noted that the majority of these petitions are filed against state and central governments or their respective officers.
The court emphasized that the discipline of government officers is central to maintaining the “Majesty of Law.” In its sharp critique, the bench described the current situation as a “classic case” where officers serving the nation have displayed the “audacity” to ignore judicial orders.
“Much turns upon the discipline of such officers in respecting the Majesty of Law,” the bench observed, underscoring that such willful disobedience undermines the judicial system.
The High Court has granted R G Singh the liberty to file an affidavit to explain his conduct and the reasons behind the non-compliance. The matter is posted for further hearing this Wednesday to determine the next course of action regarding the contempt proceedings.
