Central Administrative Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi O.A. No. 4927/2024 Reserved on:- 07.01.2026 Pronounced on:- 15.01.2026 Hon’ble Mr. Manish Garg, Member (J)

Hon’ble Dr. Anand S. Khati, Member (A)

Kuldeep Singh, S/o Shri Girdhari Singh, R/o VPO-Koliya, Rajputo Ka Bas, Tehsil-Didwana, Distt.-Nagaur, Rajasthan -341305, Roll No. 2405017280.

...Applicant (By Advocates: Ms. Rhea Verma with Ms. Kavita Chaturvedi)

Versus

1. Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police Hdqrs. I.T.O.

New Delhi – 110002.

2. Additional Commissioner of Police, Recruitment, New Police Lines, Kingsway Camp, Delhi – 110009.

…Respondents (By Advocates: Mr. Ashwani Kumar with Ms. Shagun Verma)

ANKIT ANKIT ORDER Hon’ble Mr. Manish Garg, Member (J)

In the present O.A. filed under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, the applicant has prayed for the following reliefs:-

“(i) Direct the Respondents to set aside and quash order dated 05.11.2024 and award all consequential benefits, including continuity of service, seniority, arrears of pay, fixation of pay at par with other similarly placed, to the Applicant; and (ii) Any other or further order as this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem fit.”

2. Highlighting the facts of the case, learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the applicant is a duly selected candidate for the post of Constable (Exe.) Male, who successfully cleared all stages of the recruitment process and truthfully disclosed his involvement in a criminal case leading to registration of FIR No. 148/2022 against him at PS – Didwana, District Nagaur, Rajasthan. The said case culminated in a clear acquittal by the court of competent jurisdiction vide judgment dated 12.12.2023, the relevant portion of which, reads as under:

“21. In such situation, while the victim completely has been declared hostile and has stated that myself and my father has not registered the report of incidentI do not know accused persons Chhotusingh. Kuldeepsingh and Vinod and nor they had committed act of any misdeed or rape with me. It is incorrect to state that the accused persons by intimidating me might have committed act of misdeed with me. Similarly, witness PW-3 Purnaram father of victim and witness PW-4 mother of victim Geeta also completely have been hostile. Other Witness PW-2 Mohanram has also declare hostile. In such situation in this matter the prosecution beyond doubt has failed in proving charges ANKIT ANKIT leveled against accused persons, and by giving benefit of doubt to accused persons it seems justified to acquit/discharge accused persons in the matter.”

2.1. Highlighting the aforesaid, learned counsel argued that despite such acquittal, the respondents issued a Show Cause Notice dated 27.02.2024 questioning the applicant’s suitability solely on account of his past involvement in the criminal case. The applicant submitted a detailed reply explaining the circumstances of the case and the judicial findings exonerating him. However, disregarding the acquittal, the respondents mechanically cancelled the applicant’s candidature vide the impugned order dated 05.11.2024, giving rise to the present Original Application.

3. Opposing the grant of relief, learned counsel for the respondents submitted that the respondents have acted strictly in accordance with law, Standing Order No. HRD/12/2022, and settled judicial precedents governing recruitment to a disciplined force like Delhi Police. The candidature of the applicant was examined objectively after issuance of a Show Cause Notice and due consideration of his reply by the duly constituted Screening Committee.

3.1. Learned counsel further submitted that the applicant was found involved in FIR No. 148/2022 registered under Sections 384, 376-D, 376(2) (n) of IPC & 5L, 5G, 6 of POSCO Act, at PS Didwana, Nagaur, Rajasthan and the said involvement was duly examined by the Screening Committee ANKIT ANKIT while assessing his suitability for appointment. Learned counsel added that appointment to a law enforcing agency demands a hig