Srinagar: In the case relating to handing over of the selection process of junior engineers and police sub-inspectors by J&K Service Selection Board (SSB) to Aptech Limited, a Mumbai-based recruiting agency with a shadowy past, the J&K High Court today ordered that the Board shall not proceed with the selection till the final decision is taken by the government.
The order was passed by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi on a petition by 40 applicants agitating against the awarding of the selection contract to Aptech.
The court observed that the government has already addressed the apprehensions alleged by the petitioners by constituting a Review Committee vide Government Order No. 487-JK (GAD) of 2023 dated 22.04.2023. It directed the Review Committee to submit its report after deliberating into the issues in the said government order.
It refrained from exercising its extraordinary jurisdiction citing Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
In view of the factum of the constitution of a Review Committee by the government and keeping in view the fact that this decision has neither been challenged by the petitioners nor by the aspirants, Justice Khajuria disposed of the writ petition to a limited extent.
“The Review Committee constituted in terms of Government Order No. 487-JK (GAD) of 2023 dated 22.04.2023, shall submit its report within a period of ten days from the date of passing of this judgment,” the court said.
“J&K Chief Secretary shall take a decision on the basis of the report/recommendations made by the Review Committee within a period of ten days thereafter. The decision of the Chief Secretary shall be communicated to the Secretary, JKSSB, who is directed to proceed strictly in accordance with the decision taken by the government,” the judge directed.
However, till the final decision is taken by the government, the JKSSB shall not proceed with the selection process, ordered the judge.
