JUDGMENT :

SANJAY KUMAR MEDHI, J.

1. The action of cancellation of the appointments of the petitioners as Constables (GD) in the CRPF is the subject matter of dispute in this petition filed by the 6 petitioners who have joined together. Initially, the petition was filed challenging an order dated 24.07.2021 by which even before a final decision was taken by the competent authority pending verification, the offer of appointment of the petitioners were cancelled. Subsequently, on issuance of the final cancellation order dated 30.01.2023, the writ petition was amended and it is both the orders which are the subject matters of challenge.

2. Before going to the issue which requires a determination, it would be convenient if the facts of the case are narrated in brief.

3. The 6 petitioners are all indigenous residents of the State of Nagaland in various districts. Pursuant to a recruitment process for amongst others, the post of Constables (GD) in the CRPF, the petitioners had offered their candidatures. As per the advertisement, the selection process was based on 4 stages, namely, Computer Based Examination, Physical Examination Test (PET), Physical Standard Test (PST) and Medical Examinati