SRINAGAR: On Friday, a division bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court requested the single bench to reconsider a petition challenging the engagement of Mumbai-based APTECH firm by the Jammu & Kashmir administration to conduct job tests.
The single bench had previously cancelled the contract, but the division bench overturned that decision and upheld the interim directions. Justices Tabi Rabistan and M.A. Choudhary remanded the writ petition back to the writ court for fresh consideration of the matter.
“Therefore, in view of what has been discussed above, we, without discussing the merits of the case, deem it proper to dispose of the appeals and remit the writ petition back to the Writ Court for deciding the matter afresh, ordered accordingly. Accordingly, the order and judgment impugned is hereby set aside, the writ petition is restored to its original number and the writ petition is remitted back to the learned Single Judge with a request to decide the matter afresh. Writ respondents through their learned counsel are directed to file objections/counter to the writ petition within two weeks from today, thereafter, rejoinder, if any, to be filed within next one week. Registry is directed to list the writ petition before the learned Single Judge on 5th of April, 2023, when the learned Single Judge is requested to finally decide the writ petition. Till then interim direction dated 09.12.2022 shall remain in force,” reads the order.
On December 09, the division bench issued interim directions that the Services Selection Board should continue with the selection process for Junior Engineer (Jal Shakti Department) and Sub-Inspector (Home Department). However, the announcement of the results should be postponed until the court issues further orders. (KNO)
