Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Online)(CAT) 6875

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
Rajinder Singh Dogra, Judicial Member, Ram Mohan Johri, Administrative Member
Mohd Yousuf – Appellant
Versus
State Of Jammu And Kashmir – Respondent
TA No. 354/2020|TA No. 367/2020

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Surinder Kour, Manpreet Kour
For the Respondents: Farooq Ahmed Natnoo

Participation in a selection process without protest estops a candidate from challenging the selection criteria after failing to be selected, and judicial review of an expert body's selection process is limited to instances of proven mala fides or statutory violations.

Headnote:The cases concern a challenge to the selection process initiated for the position of Assistant Director (Statistics). The applicants, who participated in the written examination and viva-voce conducted by the Public Service Commission, challenged the final selection list issued in 2006 on grounds of merit, improper weightage given to the interview, and technical irregularities. The Court determined that the applicants, having participated in the process without objection, were estopped from challenging it after being unsuccessful, and found that no substantive material was provided to support the allegations of arbitrariness. The main issues addressed were whether an unsuccessful candidate, after participating in the selection process, can challenge the selection criteria and whether the court should interfere with the assessment made by an expert body under limited judicial review. The ratio decidendi established that once a candidate submits to the selection process with full knowledge of the criteria, they cannot challenge the process post-facto. Furthermore, courts should not sit as appellate authorities over the decisions of selection committees unless there is clear evidence of mala fides or statutory violation, particularly when the selection has been settled for a long duration. The final outcome is that the Transfer Applications are dismissed.

Table of Content
1. factual background of the transfer applications and the recruitment process for assistant director (statistics). (Para 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5)
2. the principle of estoppel regarding participation in a selection process without protest. (Para 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10)
3. limitations on judicial review regarding selection criteria and marks allotment for interviews. (Para 11 , 12 , 13 , 14)
4. adverse impact on administrative stability when challenging long-standing, settled selections. (Para 15 , 16 , 17)

1. TA/354/2020

1. Mohd Yousuf S/o Sh. Wazir Mohd R/o Nagrota (Chowkian) P.O Nagrotra Tehsil & District Rajouri Age 40 years.

…Applicant

(Advocate: - Ms. Surinder Kour, Sr. Adv. assisted by Ms. Manpreet Kour)

Versus

1. State of Jammu and Kashmir through Chief Secretary, J&K, Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.

2. Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, through its Chairman, Srinagar.

3. Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, Srinagar.

4. Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, Srinagar.

5. Controller of Examination, Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, Srinagar.

6. Ashiq Hussain Butt S/o Kh Ghulam Qadir Butt R/o at present Abdul Quyoom Butt, Tailor Master, Sadar Bazar, Bhaderwah 182222.

7. Yasir Latif Anbar S/o Abdul Latif Balwan R/o Khalil Lodge, Doda City-182202.

8. Yoginder Katoch S/o Tej Singh R/o BPO Hambal, Tehsil and District Doda.

9. Subash Chander S/o Sh. Dina Nath R/o At present Madan Lal Sharma R/o w. No. 4, Behind Old Micro Wave Station, Udhampur.

10. Abdul Khaliq S/o Lal Din R/o At present Pamposh colony, H. No. 4, Near New Jamia Masque, Channi Rama, Jammu.

11. Shama-Un-Ahmed S/o Wali Mohd R/o BPO Village Kalaban, Tehsil Mendhar District Poonch.

12. Sunita Kanchan D/o Desh Raj R/o Village Machhlian P. O Dumana Tehsil and District Jammu-181206.

13. Madan Gopal Shamra S/o Sh. Suram Chand Sharma R/o Sharma Stationery, main Bazar, Nagrota VPO Kandoli Nagrota Teh. & Distt. Jammu.

14. Parshotam Kumar S/o Mela Ram R/o Village Bashat Tehsil Chenani District Udhampur-182141.

15. Suneel Kumar Pandita S/o Dwarika Nath Pandita R/o H. No. 32, Lane-Ist, Anand Nagar, Patta Bohri, Jammu-180002.

16. Mohd Iqbal S/o Khar Din Zarger R/o at present Javed Iqbal Zarger Shopkeeper, Near District Police Line Doda-182202.

17. Rajeev Bhushan S/o Late Sh. C. L. Bhushan R/o H. No. 315, Street No. 11, Shakti Nagar, Jammu.

18. Tarsaim Kumar S/o Sh. Atri Kumar R/o H. No. EP 880, Julaka Mohalla, Jain Bazar, Jammu-180001.

19. Sapna Slathia D/o Satwant Singh Salathia R/o Salathia House, near Lift Station, Basohli Morh, Lakhanpur District Kathua 184152.

20. Kasturi Lal S/o Chuni Lal R/o H. No.336,Old Rehari Mohalla, Jammu-180005.

21. Sukhleen Kaur W/o Harbinder Pal Singh R/o 57 A/B, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.

22. Tsewang Punchok S/o Tsering Punchok R/o Tsewand Punchok Skara Spon P.O Leh.

23. Ashu Gupta S/o Kasturi Lal Gupta R/o 191-Sarwal Near Shiva Ji Park, Jammu.

24. Om Parkash S/o Jethu Ram R/o Directorate of Sty. and Office Supplies, Jammu.

25. Madan Lal S/o Bishan ass R/o Gurah Beldarian P. O Gurah Mundian Tehsil Hiranagar District Kathua.

26. Joginder Paul S/o Thoru Ram R/o VPO Parole Tehsil and District Kathua Near Police Post Parole.

27. Sanjay Vashisht S/o Des Raj R/o at present Deputy Director, J&K Tourism Jammu.

28. Kamal Kumar Sharma S/o Dharam Chand Sharma R/o P. O Department of Economics University of Jammu.

…Respondents

(Advocate:- Mr. Farooq Ahmed Natnoo)

2. TA.367/20220

1. Sunil Kumar Raina S/o Sh. Dwarka Nath R/o Village Lamberi Tehsil Nowshera District Rajouri Age 36 years.