Supreme Court: Recruitment Process Under Statute Cannot Be Arbitrarily Scrapped Midway

The Supreme Court has held that a recruitment process conducted under statutory rules cannot be abruptly cancelled by government order unless justified by fraud or maladministration.

The court emphasised that cancelling notifications after candidates have legitimately participated violates their right to equality and fair opportunity under Article 14 of the Constitution.

The court directs authorities to ensure transparency and avoid abrupt terminations of hiring processes, protecting the interests of aspirants. 

Further, it directed the recruitments to be completed under the original rules in force when the advertisements were issued.

[Partha Das & Ors. v  State of Tripura & Ors.]