HC sets May 15 deadlinefor state govt to decide on SI recruitment exam

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court on Monday issued a final May 15 deadline to the state govt to decide on whether to cancel the 2021 SI recruitment exam, embroiled in paper leak charges, or to proceed with the recruitment process.

The single bench of Justice Sameer Jain specifically stated that this was the "last chance" granted to the govt to take a decision, and said the court would rule on the matter based on merits. On Feb 21, the court had given the govt two months to take a decision against a demand for four months. The court also clarified that the status quo on recruitment would continue till further orders. During the hearing, additional advocate general Vigyan Shah, appearing for the state govt, requested additional time, citing that a high-level meeting has been scheduled on May 13 to address the matter. The court agreed to the request but firmly asked the govt to take a decision by May 15.

Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), additional solicitor general RD Rastogi also said the matter is being investigated by the agency for money laundering.

"We are giving the govt a last chance to inform us about its decision by May 15. Otherwise, the court will decide on the matter based on merits," Justice Jain said.

The petitioners in the case had pleaded to cancel the recruitment, saying that the police headquarters, advocate general, and the cabinet sub-committee had already recommended cancelling the same. The court will hear the matter next on May 2.