Chandigarh Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ordered Chandigarh Administration to issue joining letters to 8 Jat constables who passed the constable recruitment exam. CAT said that when the rules made by the Central Government have been implemented in Chandigarh, then the Police Department (DGP) cannot decide the definition of OBC (Other Backward Class) on its own and neither can it ignore the rules on the pretext of the 2015 policy.
The candidates filed a petition in CAT stating that they had passed the constable exam, but they were not given joining because they belong to the Jat caste, and the Chandigarh Administration’s OBC list does not have the names of Jats.
Applications sought for 700 posts
In the petition filed by Advocate Rishabh Sharma, the candidates said that the Central Government has been recognizing the Jat caste as OBC from time to time. The Chandigarh Administration had invited applications for 700 posts of Constable (Executive) on 20 May 2023. Out of these, 185 posts were for OBC category and 104 posts were for men.
An order was also issued by the DGP, which explained what OBC means and how the recruitment process will be.
The candidates had shown OBC certificates valid from the Central Government and appeared for the examination on this basis. After passing the examination, when the documents went for verification, the police department rejected their candidature saying that the Jat caste is not in the OBC list of Chandigarh.
Order to issue appointment letter in 2 months
On the other hand, the administration justified its decision. But the tribunal said that when the laws of the Center are applicable in Chandigarh, the DGP cannot change the rules on his own.
The CAT, while approving the application, canceled the public notice related to the recruitment and directed the administration to re-check the documents of the applicants. If they are found eligible, they should be given appointment within 2 months of receiving the order.
