The Chhattisgarh High Court has lifted the stay on the police constable recruitment process, bringing relief to thousands of aspiring candidates. The decision came after a hearing by Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey’s bench at the Bilaspur High Court, which directed the resumption of the recruitment process while ensuring it adheres to constitutional principles of equality and fairness.

Key Changes in Recruitment Policy

The High Court invalidated the amended provisions that extended special exemptions to all children of police personnel. It upheld that such exemptions should only apply to:

Children of police personnel martyred in the line of duty.

Children of personnel deployed in Naxal-affected areas.

The court deemed the broader exemptions unconstitutional, violating Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 16 (Right to Equal Opportunity in Employment) of the Indian Constitution.

Background of the Issue

The recruitment process for 5,967 constable posts was announced by the Chhattisgarh Police Department for 2023-24, attracting lakhs of applications. However, the provision to extend exemptions to all children of police personnel led to allegations of bias and favoritism, prompting a legal challenge.

A petition was filed arguing that such provisions discriminated against the general public and other eligible candidates. In November 2024, the High Court imposed a temporary stay on the recruitment process to review the fairness of the amended provisions.

Court’s Ruling and Implications

The High Court directed the recruitment process to proceed with clear guidelines to ensure fairness:

Exemptions are restricted to the children of martyrs and those serving in Naxal-affected areas.

All candidates will now face a uniform selection process, with final merit determined based on physical tests and other criteria.

The court also emphasized maintaining transparency and impartiality in the recruitment process.

Response from the Government and Police Department

The Chhattisgarh government and police department welcomed the High Court’s decision. The police department assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure justice and transparency in the recruitment process.

"This decision guarantees fairness and resolves disputes over reservations and special exemptions, providing equal opportunities to all deserving candidates," an official stated.

The court’s judgment underscores the importance of Article 16, which ensures equal opportunities in public employment for all Indian citizens. The ruling reiterates that any deviation from these principles must be justified and limited to cases where extraordinary circumstances, such as sacrifice or critical deployment, warrant exemptions.

The recruitment process will now proceed with the revised guidelines. Physical tests will form a key component of the selection process, and merit-based assessment will follow.

This ruling reaffirms the commitment to upholding equality and fairness, providing a level playing field for all candidates while honoring the sacrifices of those who have served the nation in extraordinary circumstances.