The Rajasthan High Court on Monday stayed the operation of a single-judge order that had quashed the 2021 sub-inspector recruitment examination over allegations of a paper leak and irregularities involving members of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
A division bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Sanjeet Purohit passed the interim order while hearing an appeal filed by Vikram Panwar, a candidate who had successfully cleared the exam.
It was argued before the bench that only a limited number of candidates were named and identified in connection with the paper leak. Scrapping the entire recruitment process, the appellant contended, would cause irreparable harm to hundreds of honest candidates who had qualified on merit.
The division bench, noting the concerns raised, stayed the effect of the August 28 order of the single-judge bench which had cancelled the entire selection process.
The RPSC had advertised 859 posts of sub-inspector and platoon commander in 2021. However, allegations of widespread paper leak soon surfaced, prompting the state government to hand over the investigation to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police.
During the probe, over 50 trainee sub-inspectors and others accused of involvement were arrested.
Meanwhile, a state cabinet sub-committee, in its report submitted before the High Court, recommended against cancellation of the 2021 exam, emphasising that innocent candidates should not be punished for the misconduct of a few.
With the stay in place, the recruitment process will not face immediate disruption. The High Court will continue to examine the matter, balancing the need to ensure integrity of public examinations with the rights of candidates who cleared the test legitimately.
