Reportable

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

Civil Appeal No. 907 of 2006

H.P. Public Service Commission ……….Appellant

Versus

Mukesh Thakur & Anr. ……...Respondents

With

Civil Appeal No. 897 of 2006

H.P. Public Service Commission ……….Appellant

Versus

Mukesh Thakur & Anr. ……...Respondents

J U D G M E N T

Dr. B. S. CHAUHAN, J.

1.Appeal No.907 of 2006 is arising out of the final judgment and

order dated 26.12.2005 passed by the High Court of Himachal

Pradesh at Shimla in C.W.P. No.1007 of 2005. While Civil Appeal

No.897 of 2006 is against the interim order dated 22.11.2005 passed

in the said writ petition. As the interim order merges into the final

order, Civil Appeal No. 897 of 2006 has lost its efficacy.

2.Facts and circumstances giving rise to these appeals are that

the appellant herein, H.P. Public Service Commission (hereinafter

called as, “the Commission”) advertised 13 vacancies of the Civil

Judge (Junior Division) on 2

nd

April, 2005, providing the eligibility

criteria and mode of selection. The respondent No.1 applied in

pursuance of the said advertisement along with other candidates.

The result of the written papers was declared on 04.09.2005.

Respondent No.1 was not found eligible to be called for

interview/viva-voce for the reason that he failed to secure 45% marks

in the paper of Civil Law – II, though he had secured 50% marks in

aggregate. Being aggrieved, the said respondent filed writ petition

seeking direction for revaluation of the paper of Civil Law – II and

appointment to the said post as a consequential relief. The High

Court vide order dated 3

rd

October, 2005 directed the appellant-

Commission to produce his answer sheets before it and the appellant

produced the answer sheets of that paper before the High Court on

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05.10.2005. The High Court passed an order dated 05.10.2005

directing the appellant to arrange for a special interview for the said

respondent in view of the fact that the High Court was of the view that

there had been some inconsistency in framing the Question Nos.5

and 8 and in evaluation of the answer to the said questions.

3.However, the operation of the said interim order was stayed by

this Court vide order dated 7.11.2005 in SLP (C) 21511 of 2005 and

further direction was issued to the High Court to dispose of the writ

petition expeditiously.

4.The appellant filed the reply before the High Court submitting

that there was no provision of revaluation in the Himachal Pradesh

Judicial Service Rules, 2004 (hereinafter called the “Rules 2004”) as

well as in Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service (Syllabus and Allocation

of Marks) Regulations, 2005 (hereinafter called “Regulations 2005”)

and as the respondent No.1 failed to secure 90, qualifying marks in

the said paper, he was not eligible to be called for interview or to be

considered for appointment.

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5.The High Court, on 22.11.2005, further passed an order to send

the answer sheet of the said respondent to another examiner who

could be in a rank of a Reader in Law in Himachal Pradesh University

for revaluation. In the meanwhile, appellant also challenged the

Order dated 22.11.2005 before this Court. The examiner appointed

under the said order awarded him 119 marks. Thus, the High Court

disposed of the writ petition on 26.12.2005 directing the Commission

to issue Letter of Appointment to the respondent No.1. The court

further directed that no other petition on the same and similar

grounds would be entertained. The said order has also been

challenged in Civil Appeal No. 907 of 2006 by the Commission.

6.Before proceeding further, it may be pertinent to mention here

that this Court, vide order dated 13

th

January, 2006, passed an order

for fresh re-valuation of the answer sheets of the respondent No.1 in

Civil Law-II by the eminent Professor of Law with the consent of the

counsel for the parties. In pursuance of the said order, his answer

sheet was sent to an eminent Professor, who examined the same

and awarded him only 82 marks in the said paper.

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7.Shri Anil Nag, learned counsel for the appellant, has submitted

that the Rules 2004 and Regulations, 2005 do not provide for

revaluation or rechecking of the answer sheets. Comparative merit

of the candidates is assessed and if there is some inconsistency in

framing of the questions/marking of a particular question, it would be

the same in the case of all the candidates and therefore, it is not

permissible for the court to direct revaluation of the answer sheets of

a particular candidate. In such an eventuality, the answer sheets of

all the candidates should be revalued. The respondent No.1

admittedly failed to secure the qualifying marks in one paper,

therefore, the judgment and order of the High Court is liable to be set

aside.

8.On the contrary, Mr. L.N. Rao, learned Senior counsel for the

respondent has submitted that as the High Court found inconsistency

in question Nos.5 and 8, it was justified to direct for revaluation and

as the respondent No.1 secured 119 marks, being very high in merit

list i.e. at No.2, no fault could be found with the order of the High

Court. Thus, appeals are liable to be dismissed.

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9.We have considered the rival submissions made on behalf of

the counsel for the parties and perused the record.

10.Regulations, 2005 were notified by the Himachal Pradesh High

Court providing for selection on the post of Civil Judge (J.D.),

providing therein three papers, namely, Civil Law – I, Civil Law – II

and Criminal Law and each paper to carry 200 marks. Besides,

paper-IV consisted of English Composition (200 marks), Language

(100 marks) followed by Viva-Voce (100 marks). Regulation 6 (i)

made it mandatory for the candidate to secure at least 45% in each

paper and Regulation 6 (ii) further stipulated that the candidate must

secure 50% marks in aggregate to qualify the written test. The

relevant Regulations 6(i) and 6(ii) are reproduced below :-

“Regulation 6(i) – No candidate shall be

credited with any marks in any paper unless

he obtains at least 45% in that paper, except

Hindi language paper (Paper V) in which

candidate should obtain at least 33% marks.

Regulation 6 (ii) – No candidate would be

considered to have qualified the written test

unless he obtains 50% marks in aggregate in

all paper and at least 33% marks in Language

paper i.e. Hindi in Devnagri script.”

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The advertisement clarified as under :-

“Re-evaluation or Rechecking of the answer

books (Scripts) is not permissible nor the

Commission enters into correspondence in

this behalf.”

11.Therefore, there is no dispute so far as the process of

evaluation of the answer sheets is concerned under the Regulations,

2005. The Regulations do not contain any provision for revaluation.

Respondent No. 1 admittedly could not secure qualifying marks in

one paper as required therein.

12.In the facts and circumstances of the aforesaid case, three

basic questions arise for consideration of this Court:-

(i) As to whether it is permissible for the court to take

the task of Examiner/Selection Board upon itself and

examine discrepancies and inconsistencies in the

questions paper and valuation thereof.

(ii)Whether Court has the power to pass a general order

restraining the persons aggrieved to approach the

court by filing a writ petition on any ground and

depriving them from their constitutional rights to

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approach the court, particularly, when some other

candidates had secured the same marks, i.e., 89 and

stood disqualified for being called for interview but

could not approach the court.

(iii)Whether in absence of any statutory provision for

revaluation, the court could direct for revaluation.

13.In the instant case, the High Court has dealt with Question

Nos.5(a) & (b) and 8(a) & (b) and made the following observations:-

“We perused answer to Question No.5(a) and 5(b)

and found that the petitioner has attempted both

these answers correctly and the answer to Question

No.5(b) was as complete as it could be. Despite

the petitioner having attempted a better answer to

Question No.5(b) than the answer to Question

No.5(a), the petitioner has been awarded 6 marks

out of 10 in answer to Question No.5(b) whereas he

has been awarded 8 marks in answer to Question

No.5(a). Similarly in answer to Question No.8(a)

and 8(b) the petitioner has fared better in

attempting an answer to Question No.8(b) rather

than answer to Question No.8(a) and yet he got 4

marks out of 10 marks in answer to Question

No.8(b) whereas he got 5 marks out of 10 marks in

answer to Question No.8(a).”

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14.It is settled legal proposition that the court cannot take upon

itself the task of the Statutory Authorities.

15.In Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. & Ors. Vs. Dr P. Sambasiva Rao

& Ors., (1996) 7 SCC 499, this Court held that in a case where the

relief of regularisation is sought by employees working for a long time

on ad hoc basis, it is not desirable for the Court to issue direction for

regularisation straightaway. The proper relief in such cases is the

issuance of direction to the authority concerned to constitute a

Selection Committee to consider the matter of regularisation of the ad

hoc employees as per the Rules for regular appointment for the

reason that the regularisation is not automatic, it depends on

availability of number of vacancies, suitability and eligibility of the ad

hoc appointee and particularly as to whether the ad hoc appointee

had an eligibility for appointment on the date of initial as ad hoc and

while considering the case of regularisation, the Rules have to be

strictly adhered to as dispensing with the Rules is totally

impermissible in law. In certain cases, even the consultation with the

Public Service Commission may be required, therefore, such a

direction cannot be issued.

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16.In Government of Orissa & Anr. Vs. Hanichal Roy & Anr.,

(1998) 6 SCC 626, this Court considered the case wherein the High

Court had granted relaxation of service conditions. This Court held

that the High Court could not take upon itself the task of the Statutory

Authority. The only order which High Court could have passed, was

to direct the Government to consider his case for relaxation forming

an opinion in view of the statutory provisions as to whether the

relaxation was required in the facts and circumstances of the case.

Issuing such a direction by the Court was illegal and impermissible.

17.Similar view has been reiterated by this Court in Life Insurance

Corporation of India Vs. Asha Ramchandra Ambekar (Mrs.) &

Anr., AIR 1994 SC 2148; and A. Umarani Vs. Registrar,

Cooperative Societies & Ors., (2004) 7 SCC 112.

18.In G. Veerappa Pillai Vs. Raman and Raman Ltd., AIR 1952

SC 192, the Constitution Bench of this Court while considering the

case for grant of permits under the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act,

1939, held that High Court ought to have quashed the proceedings of

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the Transport Authority, but issuing the direction for grant of permits

was clearly in excess of its powers and jurisdiction.

19.In view of the above, it was not permissible for the High Court

to examine the question paper and answer sheets itself, particularly,

when the Commission had assessed the inter-se merit of the

candidates. If there was a discrepancy in framing the question or

evaluation of the answer, it could be for all the candidates appearing

for the examination and not for respondent no.1 only. It is a matter of

chance that the High Court was examining the answer sheets relating

to law. Had it been other subjects like physics, chemistry and

mathematics, we are unable to understand as to whether such a

course could have been adopted by the High Court.

20.Therefore, we are of the considered opinion that such a course

was not permissible to the High Court.

21.So far as the second issue is concerned, the court had issued a

direction while disposing of the writ petition observing as under:-

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“Therefore, we direct that in future, under the

above referred circumstances no other

petition on same and similar grounds shall be

entertained by this Court.”

22.Such a direction has been passed apparently in view of the fact

that fresh selection proceedings had commenced for the subsequent

year. Thus, in such circumstances, it could be possible for the court

to reject the same on the ground of delay and laches rather than

issuing a direction that no such petition shall be filed, particularly, in

view of the fact that candidates having roll numbers 1096 and 1476

had also secured 89 marks in the said paper. Candidate having roll

number 1096 had secured 462 marks, i.e., more than 50% in

aggregate. Therefore, depriving him only on the ground that he could

not approach the court cannot be justified, particularly in view of the

fact that Court has competence to grant equitable relief to persons

even if they are not before the Court. (See State of Kerala Vs.

Kumari T.P. Roshana & Ors., AIR 1979 SC 765; Ajay Hasia etc.

Vs. Khalid Mujib Sehravardi & Ors. etc., AIR 1981 SC 487;

Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh Vs. Sanjay Gulati &

Ors., AIR 1983 SC 580; Thaper Institute of Engineering &

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Technology, Patiala Vs. Abhinav Taneja & Ors.; (1990) 3 SCC

468; Sharwan Kumar & Ors Vs. Director General of Health

Services & Ors, AIR 1992 SC 2202; and K.C. Sharma & Ors. Vs.

Union of India & Ors., AIR 1997 SC 3588). More so, Court has also

power to mould the relief in a particular fact-situation.

23.Situation will be entirely different where the court deals with the

issue of admission in mid-academic session. This Court has time

and again said that it is not permissible for the Courts to issue

direction for admission in mid-academic session. The reason for it

has been that admission to a student at a belated stage disturbs

other students, who have already been pursuing the course and such

a student would not be able to complete the required attendance in

theory as well as in practical classes. Quality of education cannot be

compromised. The students taking admission at a belated stage may

not be able to complete the courses in the limited period. In this

connection reference may be made to the decisions of this Court in

Dr. Pramod Kumar Joshi Vs. Medical Council of India & Ors.,

(1991) 2 SCC 179; State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. Vs. Dr. Anupam

Gupta etc., AIR 1992 SC 932; State of Punjab & Ors. Vs. Renuka

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Singla & Ors., AIR 1994 SC 595; Medical Council of India Vs.

Madhu Singh & Ors., (2002) 7 SCC 258; and Mridul Dhar (Minor)

& Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors., (2005) 2 SCC 65.

24.The issue of re-evaluation of answer book is no more res

integra. This issue was considered at length by this Court in

Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary

Education & Anr. Vs. Paritosh Bhupesh Kurmarsheth etc.etc.

AIR 1984 SC 1543, wherein this Court rejected the contention that in

absence of provision for re-evaluation, a direction to this effect can be

issued by the Court. The Court further held that even the policy

decision incorporated in the Rules/Regulations not providing for

rechecking/verification/re-evaluation cannot be challenged unless

there are grounds to show that the policy itself is in violation of some

statutory provision. The Court held as under:

“……….It is exclusively within the province of

the legislature and its delegate to determine, as a

matter of policy, how the provisions of the Statute can

best be implemented and what measures, substantive

as well as procedural would have to be incorporated

in the rules or regulations for the efficacious

achievement of the objects and purposes of the Act…

…….The Court cannot sit in judgment over the

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wisdom of the policy evolved by the legislature and

the subordinate regulation-making body. It may be a

wise policy which will fully effectuate the purpose of

the enactment or it may be lacking in effectiveness

and hence calling for revision and improvement. But

any draw-backs in the policy incorporated in a rule or

regulation will not render it ultra vires and the Court

cannot strike it down on the ground that in its opinion,

it is not a wise or prudent policy, but is even a foolish

one, and that it will not really serve to effectuate the

purposes of the Act………”

25.This view has been approved and relied upon and re-iterated

by this Court in Pramod Kumar Srivastava Vs. Chairman, Bihar

Public Service Commission, Patna & Ors, AIR 2004 SC 4116

observing as under:

“Under the relevant rules of the

Commission, there is no provision wherein

a candidate may be entitled to ask for re-

evaluation of his answer-book. There is a

provision for scrutiny only wherein the

answer-books are seen for the purpose of

checking whether all the answers given by

a candidate have been examined and

whether there has been any mistake in the

totalling of marks of each question and

noting them correctly on the first cover

page of the answer-book. There is no

dispute that after scrutiny no mistake was

found in the marks awarded to the

appellant in the General Science paper. In

the absence of any provision for re-

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evaluation of answer-books in the

relevant rules, no candidate in an

examination has got any right

whatsoever to claim or ask for re-

evaluation of his marks.” (emphasis

added)

26.A similar view has been reiterated in Dr. Muneeb Ul Rehman

Haroon & Ors. Vs. Government of Jammu & Kashmir State &

Ors. AIR 1984 SC 1585; Board of Secondary Education Vs.

Pravas Ranjan Panda & Anr. (2004) 13 SCC 383; President,

Board of Secondary Education, Orissa & Anr. Vs. D. Suvankar &

Anr. (2007) 1 SCC 603; The Secretary, West Bengal Council of

Higher Secondary Education Vs. Ayan Das & Ors. AIR 2007 SC

3098; and Sahiti & Ors. Vs. Chancellor, Dr. N.T.R. University of

Health Sciences & Ors. (2009) 1 SCC 599.

27.Thus, the law on the subject emerges to the effect that in

absence of any provision under the Statute or Statutory

Rules/Regulations, the Court should not generally direct revaluation.

28.In the instant case, undoubtedly, the High Court issued

direction for revaluation and the respondent No.1 secured 119 marks

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in revaluation, making him eligible to be called for interview and

further for appointment, in case, he succeeds in interview. But the

order of the High Court was kept in abeyance by this Court for having

fresh revaluation by an eminent Professor, who had revalued the

answer sheets and awarded only 82 marks to the respondent No.1.

29.We have asked Mr. Nag, Ld. Counsel to take instruction from

the Commission and apprise the Court as to whether any vacancy

advertised in 2005 remained unfilled. After taking instruction, Shri

Nag informed us that in that selection only 5 posts could be filled up

though 13 vacancies had been advertised. However, remaining

vacancies had been carried forward and re-advertised and had been

filled in 2006 itself. Subsequent to the selection involved herein,

three more selections have been held. Respondent No.1 has

appeared in 2 subsequent selections but could not succeed. Now he

has become over-aged also.

30.Even on any other ground, the respondent No.1 cannot be

offered appointment for want of vacancy.

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31.The facts and circumstances of the case, warrant review of the

judgment and order of the High Court dated 26.12.2005. The appeals

are allowed. Judgment and order dated 26.12.2005 is set aside. No

costs.

…………………………………..J.

(Dr. B.S. CHAUHAN)

…………………………………..J.

(SWATANTER KUMAR)

New Delhi,

May 25, 2010

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