IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Suresh Kumar Kait, Neena Bansal Krishna, JJ.
Chetan – Appellant
Versus
Union of India & Anr. – Respondents
W.P.(C) 4987 of 2023
Decided On : 20-04-2023
Medical Examination - Petitioner's Fitness - The court directed the petitioner to undergo a medical examination at a specified hospital, with the report being final and binding, and provided for appointment and adjustment of the petitioner based on the examination outcome.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner was declared 'unfit' by the Detailed Medical Board and the Review Medical Board, but subsequently declared 'medically fit' by two other hospitals. The court directed the petitioner to undergo a medical examination at a specified hospital.
Finding of the Court:
The court directed the petitioner to undergo a medical examination at a specified hospital, with the report being final and binding. The court also directed the respondent to facilitate the petitioner's medical examination and provided for appointment and adjustment of the petitioner based on the examination outcome.
Issues: Disagreement on petitioner's fitness based on medical examinations conducted by different boards and hospitals.
Ratio Decidendi: The report of the specified hospital's medical examination shall be final and binding upon the parties, and the petitioner's appointment and adjustment will be based on the examination outcome.
Final Decision: The court directed the petitioner to undergo a medical examination at a specified hospital, with the report being final and binding, and provided for appointment and adjustment of the petitioner based on the examination outcome.
JUDGMENT (Oral)
1. Vide the present petition, the petitioner is seeking following reliefs:
"a.) Pass an order quashing the medical examination report dated 10.03.2023 conducted by the Medical Examination Board of the BSF;
b.) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or directions to Respondents to conduct the fresh medical examination of the petitioner by an Independent medical examination Board preferably by AIIMS or any other Government Hospital in Delhi."
2. The petitioner, after qualifying Preliminary Screening Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and Document Verification (DV) at final stage, appeared before the Detailed Medical Board and the Review Medical Board on 10.03.2023, wherein he was declared 'unfit' for the following reasons:
(i) Right arm elbow carrying angle 250,
(ii) Fixed flexion deformity on right little finger present with restricted movement at DIF Joint.
3. Being aggrieved by the findings of the Detailed Medical Board as well as the Review Medical Board, the petitioner on his own got himself examined at 'Swarn Jayanti Samudaik Hospital, Raunchi Bangar, Baad, District-Mathura, Uttar Pradesh on 13.03.2023, and thereafter, on 14.03.2023, the very next date, the petitioner again got himself examined, on his own, at 'Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati District Male Hospital, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, and both the said Hospitals declared the petitioner 'medically fit' for the service, which is contrary to the findings of the Detailed Medical Board and the Review Medical Board of the respondent No. 2/Director General, BSF.
4. In view of the above, we hereby dispose of the present petition directing the In-charge, Research and Referral Hospital (RR), Dhaula Kuan to examine the petitioner. The said process shall be carried out within two weeks from today.
5. We further direct the respondent No. 2/Director General, BSF to facilitate the petitioner before the RR Hospital, Dhaula Kuan to get his medical examination done.
6. It is made clear, as agreed by the learned counsel for the petitioner on instructions, that the report of RR Hospital shall be final and binding upon the parties. If the said Hospital declares the petitioner 'medically fit', he shall be allowed to join the further selection process.
7. We hereby further direct the respondents to appoint the petitioner if any vacancy is left out under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Quota to which the petitioner originally belongs.
8. It is further made clear that if there is no vacancy left under the EWS Quota, the petitioner shall be adjusted in the next year's vacancy.
9. Accordingly, the present petition along with pending application, if any, is disposed of.
The report of the specified hospital's medical examination shall be final and binding upon the parties, and the petitioner's appointment and adjustment will be based on the examination outcome.
The court directed a fresh Medical Board to re-examine the petitioner, asserting that its decision would be final and binding, reaffirming the importance of procedural fairness in recruitment health ....
Conflicting medical opinions can lead to the court directing a specific medical assessment to resolve the dispute.
The court affirmed the necessity of fair re-evaluation in recruitment processes when discrepancies in medical fitness findings arise.
A fresh medical examination must be conducted to ensure fair recruitment practices, with the decision of the new Medical Board being final and binding.
The finality of the R&R Hospital's report in determining the petitioner's fitness for duty.
The court mandates a fresh medical assessment for a candidate deemed unfit, affirming the importance of ensuring fairness in recruitment processes.
Fresh independent medical exam ordered when initial and review by same hospital yield conflicting govt hospital opinion.
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