HC cancels 935 illegal appointments in Nagaland Police

KOHIMA — In a landmark judgment, the Gauhati High Court (GHC) on Friday cancelled the appointment of 935 Nagaland Police constables recruited between January 2018 and October 2019.

The court deemed the appointments illegal as they were made without proper advertisement or adherence to established legal procedures.

Justice Devashis Baruah delivered the judgment via video conferencing. “The appointments which have been challenged in the instant writ petitions, that is, 935 posts of constables who were appointed during the period from January 2018 to October 2019 by the state of Nagaland without advertisements, are all set aside and quashed,” stated the order.

The court directed the state government to initiate a fresh, legally compliant selection process for the 935 constable positions within six months. It also mandated the issuance of advertisements in widely circulated newspapers within Nagaland.

While the court’s judgment rendered the previous appointments null and void, it allowed those affected to participate in the upcoming selection process. Additionally, age relaxations will be granted to both the previously appointed constables and the petitioners who had initially challenged the appointments.

However, the court maintained that no relaxations would be granted regarding basic qualifications or physical criteria.

It permitted the state government to retain the services of the affected constables for six months from the date of judgment or until new appointments are made, whichever comes first. During this period, these constables will be assigned non-arm duties.

In this connection, sources within the police department have confirmed that all constables recruited in 2018-2019, including those on VIP duties and other attachments, have been recalled to their respective units and are currently assigned non-arm duties.

The case, filed by Kekhriesilie Richa and 25 others, was initially submitted to the court on September 13, 2022. The petitioners were represented by advocates Z Zhimomi, Asenla Walling, SK Achumi, Toshi O Longkumer, and T Shangchiu. The state respondents included the Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner, Director General of Police, and others, with Advocate General KN Balgopal leading the defence.