SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has terminated the services of 103 firemen in the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Department after an inquiry and an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation found large-scale irregularities in the 2020 recruitment process.
According to Government Order No. 608-Home of 2025, dated December 15, the decision follows the findings of an Inquiry Committee constituted in 2022 to examine allegations of question paper leakage, tampering of OMR sheets, manipulation of merit lists and other procedural violations.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, a criminal case was registered by the ACB under FIR No. 01/2025, leading to a detailed investigation. Officials said the probe uncovered widespread manipulation of answer sheets, fabrication of scanned images, digital tampering and illegal alteration of merit lists to favour 106 candidates. Investigators also found that the beneficiaries were awarded marks far in excess of their actual performance, and several admitted to having paid illegal gratification.
Of the 106 candidates identified as having secured appointments through fraudulent means, the services of three were earlier cancelled for failing to complete mandatory formalities. The remaining 103 appointees have now been dismissed with immediate effect, with the government declaring their appointments illegal and void ab initio.
The order stated that as the appointments were obtained through fraud and criminal acts, the terminated employees are not entitled to protection under Article 311 of the Constitution. It cited rulings of the Supreme Court and the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which hold that appointments secured through fraud do not attract the safeguards of departmental inquiry or principles of natural justice.
The order further states that allowing such appointments to continue would perpetuate illegality and erode public confidence in public recruitment. Consequently, the 103 individuals have ceased to be part of the Fire and Emergency Services Department with immediate effect.
