The Supreme Court has reinstated the candidacy of a police constable aspirant in Telangana. This decision came after the state recruitment authorities were found to have acted arbitrarily in denying him appointment due to a criminal case related to a failed relationship. The case was later resolved in a Lok Adalat.
A Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Manmohan allowed an appeal by Gajula Thirupathi. The appeal challenged the cancellation of his provisional selection for the post of Stipendiary Cadet Trainee Police Constable by a Telangana High Court Division Bench. Thirupathi had disclosed his past involvement in a criminal case in his application.
Despite disclosing the case, the Telangana State Level Police Recruitment Board canceled his selection, citing moral turpitude. The Supreme Court emphasized that employers can assess candidates’ suitability post-acquittal, but decisions must not be arbitrary. The Court noted that the appellant had truthfully disclosed the case without any allegation of concealing facts.
The Court criticized the recruitment authorities for deeming the compromise in the Lok Adalat as an admission of guilt. It stressed that pre-marital relationships are common today and cautioned against drawing adverse conclusions based solely on such relationships. The Court held that the decision to deny the aspirant’s appointment was arbitrary and ordered a reconsideration.
