Mitali Palnitkar
Published on: March 14, 2022 at 18:49 IST
Several days after the Selection Process to the Post of Law Officer in Bihar State Mining Corporation Limited had been Stayed, the Patna High Court issued a Notice and sought a Reply from the Corporation.
The Bench comprising Justice PB Bajanthri was dealing with a Petition challenging the Recruitment Notification of the Corporation on the Ground that only the Law Graduates from Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) were eligible to apply for the post of Law Officer.
On December 16, 2022; the Corporation had issued a letter to the Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University for engaging 10 Law students as Law Officers. Subsequently, the University Administration informed the students and asked the interested ones to apply.
Saurav Narayan, a Law Graduate from Delhi University was Aggrieved by the same. He sent a representation against this to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
However, no action was taken. Thereafter, Narayan approached the High Court with a Writ Petition filed through Advocate Vishal Kumar Singh.
The Petitioner submitted before the Court that he was unable to apply for the Job of Law Officer at the Corporation even after Graduating from one of the most Prestigious Universities in the Country.
He claimed that it was in complete Violation under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution which grants the Fundamental ‘Right to Equality’.
Narayan claimed that a proper Procedure for the Notification of Appointment was not followed by the Corporation and the Government of Bihar. He challenged the Procedure of Selection as the Law Graduates of only one specific University were given the Benefit of Application and Appointment.
He further claimed that the Selection Process was completely Biased, Arbitrary and Illegal. He also argued that it was violative of Articles 15, 16 and 21 of the Constitution.
The Plea prayed to direct the Respondent Authorities to immediately Revoke the Notification dated December 16, 2022 and to initiate a Fresh Appointment process for the Post of Law Officer which shall be open for all Candidates.
It further Prayed to direct the Respondent to follow the Reservation Procedure as per the Supreme Court guidelines in Indira Sawhney Vs. Union of India.
The Matter is listed for further Hearing on May 6, 2022.
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