J&K can continue recruitment using blacklisted Aptech, while court reconsiders plea against firm: HC

The J&K HC has listed a final decision on the plea against Aptech for April 5, even as aspirants and political parties continue to protest the use of the previously blacklisted firm

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on March 10 allowed the Union Territory’s administration to go ahead with its job selection process and directed a single bench to decide afresh a petition challenging its engagement of a previously blacklisted Mumbai-based company Aptech Limited to conduct recruitment exams.

The order came as the J&K Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) administration faced growing protests from aspirants and political parties over Aptech’s engagement.

A double bench, comprising Judges M.A. Chowdhary and Tashi Rabstan, directed that the writ petition be restored to its original number and remitted back to the single judge bench, with a request to decide the matter afresh, while setting aside the earlier order and judgment in the case.

The court listed the case for April 5, 2023 “to finally decide the petition”, adding that, “Till then, the interim direction dated 09.12.2022 shall remain in force.”

The fresh High Court directive came amid growing protests from aspirants against the engagement of Aptech Limited for the selection process that will be held from March 16 till April 5. For now, the company, which was blacklisted earlier in Uttar Pradesh, will be allowed to start the selection process.

A division bench, comprising Justice Sindhu Sharma and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, on December 9, 2022 had directed the J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB) to proceed with the selection process for 65 junior engineer positions in the Jal Shakti Department and 1,200 posts of sub-inspectors for the Home Department. The court, however, directed that the results of the selection process shall await further orders.

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