The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday declined the state government’s plea for a four-week extension to submit its response regarding the cancellation of recruitments conducted through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations, directing the administration to submit its counter affidavit by September 18.
Justice Deepak Roshan, while presiding over a batch of petitions challenging the government’s revocation orders, refused the state’s request for additional time and scheduled the matter for its next hearing on September 18. The bench had earlier mandated that the government submit its reply by September 15.
Interim Protection For Appointees
The proceedings stem from an interim ruling delivered on August 20, in which the high court stayed the enforcement of government notifications that had annulled appointments made under the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations. During the same hearing, the court also suspended a separate government order that had cancelled the recruitment of food safety officers.
As a result of that stay order, the petitioners and other selected candidates affected by the state’s decision have continued working in their assigned posts.
Appointments Remain Subject To Probe
The court stressed that the continuity of service remains conditional. It cautioned that any individual discovered to have obtained employment through foul play during the official investigation will face strict action, including termination of service.
The bench added that the conclusive status of all appointments will be determined once the ongoing probe concludes and will depend on the final judgment in the case.
