Gujarat High Court: Denial of Job to Unmarried Woman on Marriage Assumption Violates Articles 14, 16

The Gujarat High Court held that denying appointment to an unmarried woman on the assumption that she may marry and relocate is arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.

Justice Maulik J. Shelat described the case as a “classic example of outright favouritism.”

The Court partly allowed a plea by Sangada Hansaben Malabhai, who challenged the 2018 appointment of a less meritorious candidate as Administrator-cum-Cook in Dahod district. Finding manipulation in the merit list prepared by the Mamlatdar, Taluka Jhalod, the Court quashed the appointment.

It directed authorities to verify the petitioner’s degree certificate and, if genuine, appoint her strictly on merit within one month.