Karnataka HC dismisses pleas of selected candidates, Allows fresh examination for PSI recruitment

Bengaluru: In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has rejected the pleas of numerous selected candidates challenging the state government’s directive to hold a re-examination for Police Sub Inspectors (PSI) posts following the detection of irregularities in the examination process.

The selected candidates had sought the annulment of the government’s order to hold a fresh examination to fill the posts.

The High Court also directed the state government that the examination shall be held by an independent organization.

A divisional bench, presided over by Justice PS Dinesh Kumar and Justice G Shivashankar Gowda, issued the order on Friday after concluding hearings on dispute petitions filed by NV Chandan and over 100 other candidates listed for selection.

The candidates had sought the cancellation of the government order issued on April 29, 2022. The then BJP government, in response to allegations of irregularities in recruitment, ordered the cancellation of the PSI recruitment written test and ordered a re-examination.

In the aftermath, a group of selected candidates moved the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) to challenge this decision. However, on July 19, 2022, the KAT dismissed their application, prompting the candidates to approach the Karnataka High Court.

On September 27, 2022, the high court granted an interim injunction against the government’s order. The injunction was subsequently extended several times. The Division Bench completed the hearing of petitions on October 26, 2023, and reserved judgment.