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1996 Supreme(SC) 1619

1996(8) Supreme 47
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
K. Ramaswamy and S.P. Kurdukar, JJ.
Delhi Administration through its Chief Secretary & Ors. -Appellants
versus
Sushil Kumar -Respondent
Civil Appeal No. 13231 of 1996
(Arising out of SLP (C) No. 5340 of 1996)
Decided on 4-10-1996
Counsel for the Parties :
For the Appellants : P.A. Choudhary, Sr. Advocate, D.V. Padurpuja and B.K. Prasad, Advocates.
For the Respondent : Sanjay Kapur, Mrs. Shubhra Kapur, Advocates.

IMPORTANT POINT
Verification of the character and antecedents is one of the important criteria to test whether the selected candidate was suitable to the post under the State and the fact that he was discharged or acquitted of the criminal offences, the same had nothing to do with the question.

Headnote:SERVICE LAW-Respondent was selected provisionally as Constable in Delhi Police Services-Selection was subject to verification of character and antecedents-His name was rejected as he was found involved in offences u/s 304 & 324/34 I.P.C.-Tribunal allowed the application on ground that respondent had been discharged and/or acquitted of offence, he could not be denied the right to the post-View of Tribunal is not correct.

       Held : It is seen that verification of the character and antecedents is one of the important criteria to test whether the selected candidate is suitable to a post under the State. Though he was physically found fit, passed the written test and interview and was provisionally selected, on account of his antecedent record, the appointing authority found it not desirable to appoint a person of such record as a Constable to the disciplined force. The view taken by the appointing authority in the background of the case cannot be said to be unwarranted. The Tribunal, therefore, was wholly unjustified in giving the direction for reconsideration of his case. Though he was discharged or acquitted of the criminal offences, the same has nothing to do with the question. What would be relevant is the conduct or character of the candidate to be appointed to a service and not the actual result thereof. If the actual result happened to be in a particular way, the law will take care of the consequences. The consideration relevant to the case is of the antecedents of the candidate. Appointing Authority, therefore, has rightly focussed this aspect and found him not desirable to appoint him to the service. (Para 2)

       

ORDER

Leave granted.

We have heard learned counsel on both sides.

2. This appeal by special leave arises from the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, New Delhi made on September 6, 1995 in OA No. 1756/91. The admitted position is that the respondent appeared for recruitment as a Constable in Delhi Police Services in the year 1989-90 with Roll No. 65790. Though he was found physically fit through endurance test, written test and interview and was selected provisionally; his selection was subject to verification of character and antecedents by the local police. On verification, it was found that his antecedents were such that his appointment to the post of Constable was not found desirable. Accordingly, his name was rejected. Aggrieved by proceedings dated December 18, 1990 culminating in cancellation of his provisional selection, he filed OA in the Central Administrative Tribunal. The Tribunal in the impugned order allowed the application on the ground that since the respondent had been discharged and/or acquitted of the offence punishable under Section 304 IPC, under Section 324 read with 34 IPC and under Section 324 IPC, he cannot be denied the right of appointment to the post under the State. The question is: whether the view taken by the tribunal is correct in law? It is seen that verification of the character and antecedents is one of the important criteria to test whether the selected candidate is suitable to a post under the State. Though he was physically found fit, passed the written test and interview and was provisionally selected, on account of his antecedent record, the appointing authority found it not desirable to appoint a person of such record as a Constable to the disciplined force. The view taken by the appointing authority in the background of the case cannot be said to be unwarranted. The Tribunal, therefore, was wholly unjustified in giving the direction for reconsideration of his case. Though he was discharged or acquitted of the criminal offences, the same has nothing to do with the question. What would be relevant is the conduct or character of the candidate to be appointed to a service and not the actual result thereof. If the actual result happened to be in a particular way, the law will take care of the consequences. The consideration relevant to the case is of the antecedents of the candidate. Appointing Authority, therefore, has rightly focussed this aspect and found him not desirable to appoint him to the service.

3. The appeal is accordingly allowed. The order of the Tribunal stands set aside. No costs.

Appeal allowed.

*******

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