The court’s intervention comes amid claims that the physical efficiency tests (PET) conducted as part of the recruitment process were marred by manipulation and corruption. Approximately 2,500 candidates have already been issued appointment letters. The court clarified that while existing appointments will not be disturbed at this stage, no further recruitment orders may be issued until further notice. The state government has been asked to file its response within two weeks. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on February 23.
Multiple petitions have been filed by candidates from Sakti, Bilaspur, Raigarh and Mungeli districts, alleging widespread irregularities during the physical tests. The petitioners, including Manohar Patel, Vivek Dubey, Mrityunjay Shrivas and others, claimed that candidates with lower scores were selected over those who secured higher marks, in violation of merit-based norms.
According to the petitions, the physical tests were conducted through an outsourced agency, Times Technology Private Limited, which was responsible for recording performance data. The petitioners alleged that the process lacked transparency and that financial transactions took place to influence results. It was further claimed that CCTV footage from the test centres, which could have served as crucial evidence, was deleted.
A key document cited before the court was a letter dated December 19, 2024, written by the Superintendent of Police, Bilaspur, who also chaired the local selection committee. Addressed to the Police Headquarters in Raipur, the letter reportedly acknowledged serious discrepancies during the physical tests and irregular data recording.
The petitioners’ counsel argued that the recruitment was conducted through a single, centralised advertisement and that the same agency handled physical tests across all districts. This, they contended, raised the possibility that similar irregularities may have occurred statewide, not just at one centre.
An internal inquiry reportedly identified 129 candidates who were allegedly granted undue benefits through inflated scores. The petitioners maintained that deserving candidates were unfairly excluded as a result.
The plea also cited provisions of the Chhattisgarh Police Recruitment Rules, 2007, which mandate cancellation of the entire recruitment process if serious irregularities are found. Any continuation of appointments, the petitioners argued, would be unlawful.
The High Court’s interim order has cast uncertainty over the recruitment drive, with its final outcome now hinging on the state’s response and the findings placed before the court in the coming weeks.
