Police selection is prerogative of authorities: Madras HC – Times of India

Chennai News

Assessment of suitability and eligibility of candidates during recruitment is the prerogative of the selection committee, the Madras high court has observed while dismissing a candidate’s petition seeking appointment to the post of police constable.
Petitioner S Manoj Kumar from Ramanathapuram district participated in the recruitment process for the post of grade-II police constable. He was successful in the written examination and was allowed to participate in the physical verification and endurance tests.
However, the authorities rejected his candidature on finding during certificate verification that he suppressed the fact that two criminal cases were registered against him.
The petitioner contended that his name was deleted from the charge sheet in the case registered by Paramakudi police and he was discharged from the case registered by Emaneshwaram police. Hence, the petitioner moved HC Madurai bench challenging the rejection order and seeking appointment.
Justice S M Subramaniam observed that Supreme Court had in a series of decisions had held that suppression of material facts by a candidate in the selection process is a ground for rejection of candidature. The authorities had elaborately considered the facts and circumstances and found the petitioner unsuitable and ineligible for selection to the post of grade-II police constable.
The selection committee is the competent authority to assess the suitability and eligibility for considering the antecedents and character of the candidates as the selection is for uniformed services.
The power of judicial review by the high court in the matter of selection is limited and there is no reason to interfere with the order of rejection, observed the judge while dismissing the petition.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/police-selection-is-prerogative-of-authorities-madras-hc/articleshow/90901879.cms