The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Thursday cancelled all the examinations conducted by J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB) through blacklisted firm “Aptech Limited” for the posts of Junior Engineer-civil, Jal Shakti Department, and Sub Inspector, Home Department.
The court directed the government to constitute a high level Committee headed by not less than a retired High Court Judge to enquire into the conduct of JKSSB for their “brazen” irregularities and illegalities in changing the terms or conditions of the tender.
“Also as to what weighed with them to award a contract to conduct an examination by an organization which has previously facilitated malpractices in public examinations and accordingly appropriate action be initiated against those found guilty,” the bench asked.
Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal observed that by its own act of “omission and commission’, the functioning of JKSSB does not inspire confidence in holding public examinations.
“It has become incumbent on all stakeholders to review the functioning of the Board,” the court directed.
The court while quashing a tender notice which was issued by the JKSSB on September, 30, 2022 in favour of Aptech Limited for conduct of its various examinations through computer based test mode, noted that the process adopted and decision made by awarding contract to M/s Aptech Limited is malafide and change of condition in tender was intended to favour Aptech Limited.
The court observed that these decisions will have an effect on public interest as the Aptech Limited has been assigned to conduct examinations, wherein the selectees will be appointed to hold public posts.
“Consequently, all the exams viz Junior Engineer-civil (Jal Shakti Department) and Sub Inspector (Home Department) held by respondent No.1 (JKSSB) through respondent no. 2 (Aptech Limited) in furtherance of the aforementioned “award of contract to conduct examinations” are also set aside/cancelled at whatever stage they are as on date,” the court ruled.
