High Court refused to interfere in 25 year old appointments, the court said – no relief to those who come late:

News India Live, Digital Desk: Jharkhand High Court has given a big decision while hearing a petition challenging the validity of the appointments made 25 years ago. The court said that the appointments which were completed two and a half decades ago and on which the employees have been serving for years, cannot now be canceled or changed on any basis.

What was the matter?

This controversy was related to some government appointments made during the time of undivided Bihar (year 1999-2000). The petitioners had alleged irregularities in the process of these appointments and demanded their cancellation.

Petitioner’s argument: Rules were violated in appointments and other people were selected in place of eligible candidates.

Reason for delay: The petitioners had no satisfactory answer as to why they remained silent for 25 years and why they were raising the matter now.

Important comment of High Court

The Justice bench made some strong legal arguments while dismissing the case:

Delay and Laches: The Court said that justice helps only those who are alert about their rights and not those who sleep for years.

Principle of Stability: Questioning the appointment of an employee after serving for 25 years will not only be injustice to him but will also create instability in the administrative system.

Limitation of rights: The Court clarified that there is a reasonable time limit to challenge any administrative decision. Accepting such petitions after decades is a waste of judicial time.

History of controversial appointments

Many appointments made in Jharkhand and Bihar in the late 90s have often become part of court proceedings. Especially in teacher recruitment and clerical cadre recruitment, there were many allegations of rigging, but this decision of the High Court will become a precedent for those who want to reopen the old appointments.