The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark judgment, taking a b stance against corruption and fraud in government recruitment. The apex court cancelled the bail granted by the Rajasthan High Court to two individuals accused of using a proxy candidate in an examination.
New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court quashed the bail granted by the Rajasthan High Court to two accused involved in examination fraud. One accused was the candidate, and the other impersonated him during the exam. The apex court deemed this crime extremely serious, stating that it erodes public trust in the administration and executive branches.
The court emphatically stated that maintaining the impartiality and transparency of competitive examinations is crucial, as they form the basis for selecting deserving candidates.
What Happened?
During the Assistant Engineer (Civil) (Autonomous Department) competitive examination 2022 in Rajasthan, Salman Khan impersonated the actual candidate, Indrajeet Singh. Following the exposure of this fraud, the police filed a case against both individuals. The lower court, considering the gravity of the offense, rejected their bail applications. However, the Rajasthan High Court reasoned that:
* The actual candidate was not selected.
* Neither individual had a criminal history.
* The investigation process was complete.
Why Did the Supreme Court Cancel the Bail?
The Rajasthan government challenged this bail, a plea which was seriously considered by the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Ahsanuddin Amanullah. The court stated that while bail granted by the High Court is generally not overturned, the societal impact of the crime necessitated the cancellation of bail in this instance.
What Did the Supreme Court Say in its Judgment?
In his judgment, Justice Sanjay Karol wrote that there is intense competition for government jobs in India. Maintaining the sanctity of the examination process is essential to ensure that the right and deserving candidates are appointed to government positions. When such fraud occurs, not only are the rights of honest candidates undermined, but public trust in the entire system is also eroded.
Support for the Trial Court's Ruling
The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's ruling, stating that the accused compromised the fairness of the examination, causing harm to thousands of candidates who honestly prepared and took the exam. While acknowledging the principle of considering an accused innocent until proven guilty, the court emphasized the need to allow the law to run its course in such a serious case.
