Ashok Mallinath Halsangi v. The State of Maharashtra

1. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. Heard finally by consent of the parties.

2. These group of Writ Petitions have been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging the order dated 17th March 2023 of the Full Bench of Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, Mumbai (for short ‘Tribunal’) in various Original Applications (OA) filed. Since all these Writ Petitions raises a common issue for consideration of this Court, same are disposed of by a common judgment. Brief facts leading to present adjudication of the issue which arises for our consideration are as under:-

3. On 30th November 2019, the Respondent-State issued a advertisement for the recruitment of three posts (i) District Police Constable Driver, (ii) Railway Police Constable Driver and (iii) SRPF Armed Police Constable. However, the dispute which is the subject matter of the present petition pertains only for the post of District Police Constable Driver. 11 of 26

4. Pursuant to the above advertisement, around 1,17,000 applications were received for the post of Police Constable Drivers. Out of 1,17,000 applications, it was noticed by the Respondent-State that around 2897 candidates have filled in more than one application for the said post. The Respondent-State disqualified/terminated these candidates on the ground that the advertisement specifically provided that one candidate cannot make more than one application for the same post in various districts. These 2897 candidates made multiple applications for the said one post in different districts with different mobile numbers, email ids and in some of the cases different aadhaar card numbers. Some of the candidates did not even furnish their aadhaar card numbers. Some of these candidates also made minor changes to the spelling of their parent’s name etc. in different applications. It is on this backdrop that we are called upon to adjudicate the correctness of the decision rendered by the Full Bench of the Tribunal, wherein the Full Bench has come to a conclusion that on a reading of clause 11.10 of the advertisement, these candidates were rightly disqualified.

5. Before the Tribunal various issues were raised by the candidates which are reproduced in paragraph 24 of the impugned order, which reads thus:- 12 of 26 “24. After having heard the arguments of the learned counsel appearing for the applicants in Group-I, as well as, Group-II applications, the learned Chief Presenting Officer appearing for the State Authorities and the learned counsel Shri Moon and after having perused the documents filed on record, broadly the following issues arise for our determination:- (a) Restriction imposed vide clause 11.10 in the advertisement dated 30.11.2019, thereby prohibiting the candidates from making application for one and the same post in more than one Unit, whether can be held violative of the fundamental rights granted under Articles 14, 16 and 19 of the Constitution ? (b) Challenge to the recruitment process and more particularly to clause 11.10 in the advertisement dated 30.11.2019 by the applicants in Group-I applications after having themselves taken part in it, whether maintainable?

(c) whether Group-I applications suffer from vice of non-joinder of necessary parties ?

(d) whether show-cause notices issued to the applicants in Group-II applications are sustainable ? (e) what order ?” However, before this Court the only issue pressed for our consideration is the interpretation of clause 11.10 of the advertisement.

5. It is the contention of the Petitioners that the Full Bench of the Tribunal has not considered clause 11.17 of the advertisement which provides that if two email ids are furnished then the one which is registered first will be considered for all the purposes of the recruitment process and the other email ids will be ignored to contend that more than one application is permissible. The Petitioners further contended that clause 11.10 does not prohibit a candidate to apply for the same post in different districts since the recruitment is qua each district. The Petitioners submit that on a harmonious reading of clause 11.10 read 13 of 26 with 11.17, the restriction is that a candidate for the same district cannot apply for the same post more than once. The Petitioners, therefore, submitted that since they have applied for the said post by making more than one application for different districts, Respondent- State is not justified in disqualifying/terminating them.

6. Per contra, the Respondent through State and other successful candidates have contended that by the modus operandi adopted by the Petitioners, they have violated the condition specified in clause 11.10 by making multiple applications for the same post in different districts. The Respondent-State submitted that clauses 11.10 and 11.17 operate in different fields and same cannot be construed harmoniously, but are to be construed independently. The Respondent submitted that the post for which the advertisement has been issued is for the candidates who will regulate law and order of the State and if a candidate has violated clause 11.10 by making multiple applications, such candidates have played fraud and are not fit for being considered for the post. The Respondents submitted that from the conduct and acts of the Petitioners it is very clear that they have intentionally made more than one application by giving different mobile number, email ids etc. The Respondents, therefore, supported the order of the Tribunal and prayed for dismissal of the present petition. 14 of 26

7. We have heard the learned counsel for the Petitioners and learned counsel for the Respondents and with their assistance have perused the documents annexed to the petition.

8. Before we deliberate the issue which is raised for our consideration, it is important to reproduce the relevant clauses 4, 11.10, 11.17, 14.4, 23 and 24 of the advertisement dated 30th November 2019 and its English translation. “४) उमेदवारांचे अर्ज ऑनलाईन (Online) पध्दतीने स्विकारण्यात येणार असल्याने अर्ज करतांना शैक्षणिक प्रमाणपत्रे / कागदपत्रे, अन्य प्रमाणपत्रे जोडणे आवश्यक नाही. त्यामुळे ऑनलाईन अर्जाची माहिती उमेदवारांनी जाहिरातीमध्ये नमूद क े लेल्या सर्व अटी, शैक्षणिक अर्हता व मागणीनुसार आरक्षण, वयोमर्यादा शिथिलीकरण वगैरेची पात्रता तपासूनच भरावी. ऑनलाईन अर्जामध्ये उमेदवाराने त्यांच्या पात्रतेनुसार काळजीपूर्वक संपूर्ण, अचूक व खरी माहिती भरणे आवश्यक आहे. ऑनलाईन पध्दतीने अर्ज भरतांना काही चुका झाल्यास कि ं वा त्रुटी झाल्यास व भरतीच्या कोणत्याही टप्प्यावर अर्ज नाकारला गेल्यास त्याची सर्वस्वी जबाबदारी संबंधीत उमेदवाराची राहील. याबाबत उमेदवाराची तक्रार विचारात घेतली जाणार नाही. ऑनलाईन अर्जात भरलेली माहिती अर्ज सादर क े ल्यानंतर बदलता येणार नाही.

4) As the applications of the candidates are going to be accepted through “Online” mode, it is not necessary to enclose educational certificates / documents, other certificates while submitting the applications. Therefore, candidates shall fill up the information in the online form only after checking all the conditions, educational qualification, reservation sought, relaxation in age-limit etc. eligibility mentioned in the advertisement. Candidates are required to carefully fill up the entire, accurate and true information in the online application as per their eligibility. If any mistake or error is occurred while filling up the form through online mode and if the application is rejected at any stage of the recruitment, then the candidate concerned shall be solely responsible for the same. No complaint in this regard by the candidate shall be entertained. Once the application is submitted, no information filled in in the online application can be changed. ११.१० उमेद्वारास (१) जिल्हा पोलीस दलातील पोलीस आयुक्त / पोलीस अधीक्षक यांच्या आस्थापनेवरील पोलीस शिपाई चालक, (२) लोहमार्ग पोलीस दलातील पोलीस शिपाई चालक व (३) राज्य राखीव पोलीस बलातील सशस्त्र पोलीस शिपाई पदासाठी एक अशा एकूण पदांसाठी तीन आवेदन अर्ज सादर 15 of 26 करता येतील [महिला उमेवारांना राज्य राखीव पोलीस बलातील सशस्त्र पोलीस शिपाई पदासाठी आवेदन अर्ज सादर करता येणार नाही. एकाच पोलीस घटकातील एकाच पदासाठी एकापेक्षा जास्त अर्ज सादर करता येणार नाहीत, (उदाहरणार्थ:- पोलीस आयुक्त, बृहन्मुंबई यांच्या आस्थापनेवरील पोलीस शिपाई चालक पदासाठी एकापेक्षा जास्त अर्ज भरता येणार नाहीत कि ं वा राज्य राखीव पोलीस बलातील एकाच गटात सशस्त्र पोलीस शिपाई पदासाठी एकापेक्षा जास्त अर्ज भरता येणार नाहीत). जर एका उमेदवाराने एकाच पोलीस घटकातील एकाच पदासाठी एकापेक्षा अधिक अर्ज क े लेलें आहेत. असे आढळून आले तर अशा उमेदवारांची उमेदवारी रद्द क े ली जाईल. एकाच पदासाठी विविध पोलीस घटकांत आवेदन अर्ज सादर करता येणार नाहीत.

11.10. The candidate may submit three applications, one each for all posts viz. 1) Police Constable/Driver on the Establishment of the Commissioner of Police / Superintendent of Police in District Police Force, 2) Police Constable / Driver in the Railway Police Force and 3) Armed Police Constable in State Reserve Police Force. [The Female candidates cannot submit Applications for the post of Armed Police Constable in State Reserve Police Force.] More than one applications cannot be submitted for one and the same post in one and the same Police Unit. (For example: More than one applications cannot be submitted for the post of Police Constable-Driver on the Establishment of the Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai or more than one applications cannot be submitted for the post of Armed Police Constable in one and the same Group of the State Reserve Police Force.) If it is found that a candidate has submitted more than one applications for one and the same post in one and the same Police Unit, then, the candidature of the said candidate shall be cancelled. Applications for one and the same post cannot be submitted in various Police Units. ११.१७ जर कोणत्याही उमेदवाराने एकापेक्षा अधिक लॉगिन आयडीसह नोंदणी क े ली असेल तर उमेदवारांची पहिली यशस्वी नोंदणी फक्त पुढील प्रक्रिया जसे हॉल तिकीट, पंरीक्षेत उपस्थिती, गुणवत्ता यादी आणि अन्य संबंधित प्रक्रियांसाठी विचारात घेण्यात येईल. कोणत्याही डु प्लीक े ट नोंदणीस अवैध नोंदणी मानले जाईल आणि कोणत्याही प्रकारचे पैसे परतफ े ड क े ले जाणार नाहीत. उमेदवाराद्वारे प्रथम यशस्वी नोंदणीमध्ये काही चुकीची माहिती देण्यात आली असेल तर क ृ पया या विषयाबद्दलची योग्य प्रक्रिया जाणून घेण्यासाठी enquiry@mahapariksha.gov.in वर लिहा कि ं वा टोल फ्री क्रमांक १८००३०००७७६६ वर कॉल करा.

11.17 If any candidate has made registration with more than one Log-In ID, then the first successful registration of the candidates shall be taken into consideration only for further 16 of 26 process like Hall Ticket, Attendance at the examination, Merit List and other concerned processes. Any duplicate registration shall be deemed as illegal registration and no money of whatsoever nature shall be refunded. If any erroneous information in the first successful registration has been given by the candidate, then to know the appropriate process in that regard, kindly write to “enquiry@mahapariksha.gov.in” or call on the Toll Free Number

180030007766. Note: Once the Form is submitted, no permission shall be granted to make any change in the registration details such as “USER NAME” E-mail ID, Reservation Category (parallel or reservation category applicable), 1/2/3 Preference for Examination Centre, Date of Birth, Photograph and signature of the Candidate, details of educational qualification etc. १४.४ निवडीच्या कोणत्याही टप्प्यावर (निवड प्रक्रिया सुरु झाल्यानंतर कि ं वा नियुक्तीनंतर कोणत्याही क्षणी) अर्जदार विहित अर्हता धारण न करणारा आढळल्यास, ऑनलाईन अर्जात दिलेली माहिती / अगर कागदपत्रे खोटी सादर क े ल्याचे कि ं वा खरी माहिती दडवून ठेवल्यांचे निदर्शनास आल्यास शासनाची दिशाभूल क े ल्यामुळे त्यांच्यावर प्रत्यक्ष अप्रत्यक्ष दबाव आणल्यास अथवा गैरप्रकारचा अवलंब क े ल्यास त्यास निवड प्रक्रियेतून वगळण्यात येईल व नियुक्ती झाली असल्यास कोणतीही पूर्वसूचना न देता त्याची नियुक्ती समाप्त करण्यात येवून त्यांच्या विरुध्द कायदेशीर कारवाई करण्यात येईल. 14.[4] At any stage of selection (after the selection process is commenced or at any point of time after the appointment), if it is found that the candidate is not holding the prescribed qualification, has submitted false information in the on-line application / or documents or has concealed the true information, has brought direct / indirect pressure for having misleading the Government or has adopted any improper course, his name shall be removed from the selection process and if he has been appointed, then his appointment shall be terminated without giving any prior notice and legal action shall be initiated against him/her. २३. विशेष सूचनाः- २३.१.१ उमेदवारांच्या माहितीकरिता www.mahapariksha.gov.in या संक े तस्थळावर प्रस्तावित परीक्षेची कार्यप्रणाली (Software) कशी हाताळावी हे समजण्याकरिता नमुना परीक्षेची लिंक (link) उपलब्ध करुन देण्यात येईल. २३.१.२ उमेदवारांना सरावासाठी (Mock Test) पीडीएफ स्वरुपात नमुना प्रश्नपत्रिका www.mahapariksha.gov.in या संक े तस्थळावर उपलब्ध करुन देण्यात येणार आहे. २३.२ ऑनलाईन अर्जामध्ये भरलेली माहिती आणि कागदपत्रे तपासणीच्या वेळी सादर क े लेली कागदपत्रे यात तफावत आढळल्यास उमेदवाराची निवड भरती प्रक्रियेच्या कोणत्याही टप्प्यावर रद्द होऊ शक े ल अथवा उमेदवाराने 17 of 26 मागितलेले सामाजिक समांतर आरक्षण अथवा वयोमर्यादा शिचील करणे इत्यादी बदल/ सवलती नामंजूर करण्यात येतील. २३.३ परीक्षा कक्षात परीक्षा क ें द्राच्या परिसरात मोबाईल फोन अथवा इतर कोणत्याही प्रकारची इलेक्ट्रॉनिक साधने आणण्यास व वापरण्यास सक्त मनाई आहे. २३.४ प्रमाणपत्र पडताळणीच्या वेळी प्रमाणपत्रांमध्ये त्रुटी अढळल्यास / माहिती खोटी आढळल्यास अथवा एखादे प्रमाणपत्र सादर न क े ल्यास उमेदवाराला त्याचवेळी पुढील प्रक्रियेसाठी अपात्र क े ले जाईल. २३.५ जाहिरातीतील नमुद क े लेले सर्व शासन निर्णय/ अधिसूचना / शासन परिपत्रक े ही महाराष्ट्र शासनाच्या www.maharashtra.gov.in या वेबसाईटवर उपलब्ध आहेत. तसेच महापरीक्षा पोर्टलचे संक े तस्थळावर लिंक करण्यात आलेले आहेत.