The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to formulate a comprehensive roadmap within three weeks detailing measures to guarantee impartial and malpractice-free recruitment examinations for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission.
Hearing a petition concerning ongoing student agitations in Pune over alleged irregularities in public recruitment tests, a division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna held that agitating candidates are not anti-social elements. Emphasising that the state administration has a constitutional duty to restore public and student confidence in competitive examinations, the bench scheduled the next hearing for November 25.
State Submissions And Administrative Steps
Advocate General Milind Sathe, appearing for the state government, informed the court that the administration has exercised restraint throughout the unrest and has not registered any First Information Reports against the demonstrators.
Sathe reported that the government has already conceded to the majority of demands raised by the candidates. Addressing the specific demand for the resignation of the commission chairman, the advocate general stated that a formal recommendation has been submitted to the Governor in accordance with prescribed procedure, and subsequent administrative action is currently awaited.
Court Upholds Right To Agitate While Urging Return To Studies
Commending the state for refraining from registering police complaints, the high court affirmed that candidates have a legitimate right to voice dissent when they suspect impropriety. The bench observed that students who dedicate extensive hours to exam preparation naturally protest when they perceive a lack of opportunity or foul play in the recruitment process.
The judges nevertheless urged candidates to call off street demonstrations and resume their studies, assuring them that the judiciary has taken formal cognizance of the issue to ensure fair testing and redress grievances. Chief Justice Tripathi requested students to consider their families’ welfare and protect their academic prospects, cautioning that prolonged street protests could compromise their careers while causing disruption to Pune residents.
Legal Challenge And Response From Organisers
The court was adjudicating a plea filed by Pune residents Amit Supekar and Sourabh Virkar against the disruptions caused by demonstrations over examination-related controversies. The petition cited the state government along with demonstration organisers Pramod Patil, Nitin Andhale, and Chetan Wagaj as respondents.
During the proceedings, one of the three organisers informed the bench of their decision to withdraw from the agitation entirely. The remaining two organisers stated to the court that they are prepared to relocate their demonstrations to any alternative venue designated by Pune administrative authorities.
