Rajasthan HC strikes down 2021 SI recruitment over paper leak and irregularities

The Rajasthan High Court has canceled the 2021 Sub-Inspector recruitment process after finding evidence of widespread irregularities and allegations of paper leaks.

The decision was delivered by Justice Sameer Jain on Aug 28, almost two weeks after the court had reserved its order.

The case stemmed from petitions filed in August 2024 demanding the cancellation of the exam.

While the state government and selected candidates opposed scrapping the recruitment, the court concluded that the process was tainted and could not be upheld.

Petitioner Harendar Neel said the bench noted that question papers had been circulated through WhatsApp and social media, with links to organized cheating groups such as the so-called Bluetooth gang.

"The court noted that continuing the recruitment would be unjust. This decision is historic and will be remembered as a landmark verdict,” he said.

Advocate OP Solanki welcomed the judgment, saying it reinforced public confidence in the judicial system. “It may have taken four years, but the outcome is fair and commendable,” he remarked.

Reacting to the ruling, Rajasthan minister Kirodi Lal Meena criticized the former Congress government for not canceling the exam earlier despite evidence of irregularities.

“Evidence of the leak had been submitted to the SOG and the government earlier, yet the exam was not cancelled at that time. This verdict reflects the long struggle of the youth and is a victory for unemployed candidates,” he said.

Students who had appeared in the exam also hailed the verdict. Firoz, a candidate from Chittorgarh, said, “For those of us who appeared honestly in 2021, this is a historic day. The struggle has been long, but justice has finally been served.”