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Raju Kumar vs. Union of India & Ors.

Writ Petition (Civil) · 2026:DHC:7597-DBDecided 7 Sept 2026New Delhi Bench
W.P.(C) 15095/2021CNR: DLHC010406362021
Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre · Justice Amit Sharma

Background

An Air Force Sergeant applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to enable him to compete in the Bihar Public Service Commission's selection process for the post of Revenue Officer. The Air Force initially declined the NOC in 2021, and by the time it was eventually granted in October 2024 (a year before his retirement), Bihar's Department of Revenue and Land Reforms had already cancelled his candidature for failing to submit the NOC in time: a cancellation the petitioner never separately challenged.

Decision Breakdown

The Bench held that since the petitioner never challenged the Bihar government's order cancelling his candidature, he could not now claim a right to the post through this petition. It also noted that by the time of the hearing he had already retired from the Air Force and had in fact eventually received the NOC, and that the selection process he had participated in had long since been completed with all seats filled. Finding no live grievance that could be granted effective relief, the Court dismissed the writ petition.

Lesson Learnt

A person seeking relief in one proceeding must directly challenge every adverse decision affecting their claim, failing to separately contest a candidature-cancellation order can be fatal even if a related grievance (like a delayed NOC) is later resolved in one's favour.

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