PATNA, India, April 23 -- Patna High Court issued the following judgment on March 23:

1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. The petitioner has filed the instant application for the following prayers:

"1.

i. For issuance of writ in the nature of certiorari directing and commanding the respondents to organize a fresh driving test examination with regard to the petitioner having Roll No. 7710140306.

ii. For also directing and commanding the respondents to keep one seat reserve for SC category for the petitioner till disposal of the present writ petition. iii. For any other relief or reliefs for which the petitioner is found entitled in the facts and circumstances of the case."

3. The case of the petitioner in brief is that the petitioner belongs to the scheduled caste category. On the respondent Central Selection Board (Constable) coming out with advertisement on 29.11.2019 for appointment of driver (constable), the petitioner being eligible in all respects applied for the same. He participated in the written examination held on 14.10.2020 and having qualified, he appeared for the physical eligibility test on 24.11.2021. Having qualified in the physical eligibility test also, the petitioner appeared in the driving test examination and completed all the five types of driving test.

4. Not having been finally selected, aggrieved by the result, the petitioner has moved this Court in the instant writ application for the prayer as stated herein above.

5. It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is meritorious and a very good driver. There is no reason why he should not have been selected. It is further submitted that against the required minimum marks of 33.5, the petitioner having performed well in the test he should have been selected.

6. The application is opposed by learned counsel for the respondents. It is submitted that from perusal of the advertisement itself it would transpire that the minimum marks that a scheduled caste candidate is required to secure in the Driving Efficiency Test is 33.5 whereas the petitioner has secured only 32.25, which is below the required minimum marks. Further so far as appointment is concerned, in the category of the petitioner, the cut off mark of the last selected candidate is 39.

7. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and having perused the contents of the petition, in view of the statements made in the counter affidavit filed on behalf of respondent no.4, while the minimum eligibility marks in the driving efficiency test for the petitioner's category i.e. of scheduled caste being 33.5 and the marks of last selected candidate being 39, as against the same, the petitioner having secured only 32.25 marks, he was rightly not selected by the respondents.

*Rest of the document can be viewed at: (https://patnahighcourt.gov.in/viewjudgment/MTUjMTUwNCMyMDIyIzEjTg==-ttQTxuAvgro=)

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.