SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has granted provisional relief to a group of petitioners who challenged the maximum age limit for the recruitment of 4,002 Constables in the J&K Police.
The petitioners, rendered overage due to an eight-year delay in the recruitment process, have been allowed to appear in the upcoming selection test scheduled Dec 1.
The petitioners, represented by Advocate Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, argued that the delay in recruitment, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, unfairly disqualified them due to their age. They stated that they were otherwise qualified, with educational backgrounds ranging from matriculation to post-graduation.
The petitioners contended that the JK Services Selection Board (JKSSB) issued Advertisement Notification No. 01 of 2024 without providing age relaxation for candidates who had exceeded the maximum age during the eight-year gap since the last recruitment drive. They argued that this was discriminatory and violated their fundamental rights.
Their counsel highlighted instances where age relaxation had been granted in similar cases. For example, the indenting department relaxed the maximum age limit for Sub-Inspectors from 30 to 32 years in 2021, and the Union Territory of Ladakh extended the age limit for constable posts from 28 to 30 years in 2022.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court directed the respondents, including the UT of J&K and the JKSSB, to provisionally accept the petitioners’ applications and allow them to appear in the upcoming test.
The court clarified that this interim relief would not guarantee any further consideration for appointment, which would depend on the final outcome of the case.
“The respondents are directed to consider the candidature of the petitioners irrespective of their maximum age for undergoing the test for the post of Constables and to entertain the applications of the petitioners provisionally and conduct their tests along with other candidates,” stated the court.
The recruitment drive for 4,002 constable posts in the J&K Police, advertised after an eight-year hiatus, has drawn criticism for excluding candidates who had aged out during the gap. The petitioners argued that this oversight contradicted the government’s precedent of granting relaxations in similar cases.
The case has been listed for further consideration on 21 February 2025. Meanwhile, the court ordered a copy of the interim order to be provided to the petitioners’ counsel. (KNO)
