HPSC ordered to pay ₹1.5 lakh for wrongful rejection

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) to pay ₹1.5 lakh after improperly rejecting a woman's application. The case involves Divya Kalia, who passed the written exam for the Haryana Civil Services (judicial branch) but was later informed that her application was denied due to issues with her scheduled caste (SC) certificate. HPSC claimed that Kalia submitted her SC certificate without a registration number and the date. They also mentioned that her domicile certificate was not submitted. However, the court found that Kalia’s SC certificate correctly included the registration number and date, although it was placed in an unconventional position on the document. The court labeled this a "trivial error." The court expressed concern over HPSC's lack of diligence, describing how such mechanical handling of cases can undermine responsible governance. The bench emphasized the importance of distinguishing between legitimate claims and baseless disputes, warning that frivolous cases clog the judicial system. In addition to the ₹1.5 lakh cost, the court has directed HPSC to ensure Kalia is appointed and to pay ₹50,000 to her and ₹1 lakh to the Poor Patients Welfare Society Fund. They must complete this within two weeks. HPSC has also been allowed to recover these costs from the officials responsible for the error and must submit a compliance report by May 5.