Rajasthan HC cancels 2021 police recruitment exam

The Rajasthan High Court on Thursday cancelled the contentious 2021 police sub-inspector recruitment exam owing to allegations over paper leak and involvement of members of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). Justice Sameer Jain cancelled the exam 2021 which was the bone of contention for both BJP and Congress governments in the state and gave a detailed verdict. "Illegality and fraud on the system was so conspicuous. It is strange that the state government did not take action or any decision on the subject. The court's decision hopefully will act as a deterrent for the gangs playing with the future of youths," said senior advocate Major R P Singh who represented the petitioners. The HC ruled that the selection process of the Sub-Inspector Recruitment 2021, which was conducted for 859 posts, was compromised following the high-profile paper leaks.

The petitioners had alleged that the paper leak took place at three levels, which compromised the sanctity of the exam process. They argued that the leak was reported at the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) and the examination centres, as well as through the use of dummy candidates. “After the paper was leaked, it was distributed across the state. It is not possible to identify who benefited,” senior advocate R.P. Singh told the court.

Advocate General Rajendra Prasad and Additional Advocate General Vigyan Shah, who represented the government, said the probe had already found 68 trainees guilty, of whom 54 were arrested. Other accused persons either quit or remain absconding, according to them. “The government wants to reach the bottom of the matter so the punitive action can be taken against those implicated without scrapping the entire recruitment process,” Prasad said, noting that a Cabinet Sub-Committee had recommended against cancelling the exam. The court ruled that the fairness of the exam had been irreparably damaged and scrapped the recruitment despite the objections.