‘Faulty’ TNPSC selection process: HC stays MV inspector interviews

‘Faulty’ TNPSC selection process: HC stays MV inspector interviews

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.07.2021 

Citing defects in recruitment process, the Madras high court has stayed the interview notified by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) for recruitment to to 226 posts of motor vehicle inspector. The interview, scheduled for July 19, will not be held till further orders, the HC said, directing the TNPSC to make available all certificates and credentials of shortlisted candidates to petitioners who had moved the court.

“Since this court is convinced that there are defects in the process of recruitment, this court is of the view that the petitioners’ right should be preserved during the pendency of the writ petitions. Hence there shall be an order for maintaining status quo,” said Justice S S Sundar in his interim orders.

It is seen that TNPSC has now issued notification dated July 1 asking selected candidates to attend the interview on July 19. Hence the interview as scheduled by the notification shall be postponed sine die. There shall be no interview during pendency of the writ petitions or until further orders, the court added.

Directing the registry to post the pleas on July 19 for final hearing, the judge said: “This court will consider whether or not TNPSC can be directed to publish marks obtained by all candidates in the written examination and as to the publication of certificates of all the selected candidates.”

The credentials of the institutions which have issued such certificates will also be considered on July 19, the court added.

The court passed the order on a batch of pleas moved by candidates challenging the recruitment process.

According to the petitioners, of the 226 candidates selected for the interview, many are not eligible as per the recruitment notification.

They further demonstrated before the court that some candidates who were selected earlier by holding that they have required qualification were not selected and that there is no material to reconcile the inconsistencies.

Recording the submissions, Justice Sundar said: “In such circumstances, this court is of the prima facie view that all certificates and credentials of the selected candidates should be made available to the counsels appearing for the petitioners in all the writ petitions.”

Noting that such a move alone would ensure transparency in the process of selection, he said, “This court also can get a valid assistance while considering the cases on merits.”

Since this court is convinced that there are defects in the process of recruitment, this court is of the view that the petitioners’ right should be preserved during the pendency of the writ petitions. Hence there shall be an order for maintaining status quo

MADRAS HIGH COURT