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Rajendra Kumar Agrawal v. State of Uttar Pradesh

Civil Appeal · Neutral citation not assigned (Civil Appeal Nos. 9091-9092 of 2014)Decided 23 Sept 2014
Civil Appeal Nos. 9091-9092 of 2014
Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla · Justice Shiva Kirti Singh

Background

Housing board superintending engineers competed for the single Chief Engineer vacancy. The board reduced the minimum qualifying experience from five years to three and a half years under its relaxation power, admitting three additional senior officers to consideration. The High Court invalidated the relaxation as a change during selection and an alleged attempt to favour one officer.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court allowed Agrawal's appeals and dismissed the opposing engineer's appeal. The regulations already authorised relaxation, the decision broadened the eligible field for a significant public post, and the record did not substantiate improper influence or favouritism. The High Court had confused an earlier process for temporary additional charge with the later regular-promotion process. The Court directed the board and State to select the most suitable eligible candidate according to law within eight weeks, without itself awarding the post to Agrawal.

Lesson Learnt

A valid rule permitting relaxation can be used for justified institutional reasons, such as widening the promotion field. It must not be exercised arbitrarily for an individual, and eligibility still does not guarantee selection.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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