HC orders appointment of six Agniveer candidates securing 200 marks
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 23 2025: The High Court of Manipur has directed the Indian Army to appoint six petitioners, who scored the maximum marks (200) in the Agniveer recruitment process but were denied selection.

The court also instructed the respondents to examine the claims of other eligible petitioners and, if necessary, create additional posts to accommodate them.

The judgment pertains to the recruitment conducted under the Agnipath Scheme for Agniveer (General Duty) for the year 2022-2023 .

The petitioners, 29 in total, challenged their exclusion despite fulfilling all prescribed criteria.

As NCC "C" certificate holders, they were exempted from appearing in the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) and were credited with the full 100 marks allocated for the written test.

In addition, they had successfully passed the physical and medical fitness tests.

The petitioners alleged that the selection process lacked transparency and fairness, with candidates scoring lower marks being, selected over them.

They contended that the process involved a "pick and.

choose" method, which violated the principles of equality and fairness enshrined in Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.

Justice A Guneshwar Sharma observed that the advertisement for the recruitment did not specify the number of vacancies, which created ambiguity in the selection process.

The court further noted that the respondents failed to disclose the marks of the last selected candidate or provide a valid explanation for rejecting the petitioners who scored the maximum 200 marks.

The court rejected the respondents' argument that the software-based selection process was unbiased, ruling that it lacked transparency and consistency.

The court directed the official respondents to appoint six petitioners, namely - Khangjrakpam Netrajit of Lamsang Mayai Leikai, Ningthoujam Somorjit of Heirok Part-1 Heituppokpi Leikai, Chandam Oshananda of Balaram Khul Maning Leikai, Thokchom Herojit of Salungpham Mayai Leikai, Shambanduram Stalin of Nongpok Lourembam Makha Leikai, and Ningthoujam Premjit of Thambalkhong Mayai Leikai, as Agniveer (General Duty) immediately, as their exclusion was found to be unjustifiable.

The court further ordered the authorities to assess the eligibility of the remaining petitioners within two months and, where applicable, appoint them by creating additional posts if required.

The judgment emphasised that the terms and conditions of recruitment must strictly adhere to the criteria outlined in the advertisement.

The court concluded that the petitioners had been unfairly denied selection based on conditions not mentioned in the recruitment notification.

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