The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered maintenance of status quo regarding the services of two school teachers who challenged their ouster from the selection zone following the publication of a revised result nearly two years after they joined service as Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT-English).
Justice Manisha Batra passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Pinki and another teacher against the State of Haryana and other respondents. The petitioners contended they applied for selection and appointment as TGT (English) under the general category being fully eligible and qualified candidates.
After clearing the written examination and securing 64.6 marks, they were selected and appointed. Appointment letters were issued and they joined service on July 29, 2024.
The dispute arose after a revised result was issued on May 28. According to the petitioners, the revised final list showed that the last selected candidate in the relevant category had also secured 64.6 marks. As a consequence, they were allegedly pushed out of the selection zone on the basis of age.
“The petitioners have been ousted from the selection zone after joining and serving the respondents for about two years, on the ground that they are younger in age,” their counsel contended, while seeking directions to the authorities to allow them to continue in service as TGT (English) teachers on the basis of the first final selection list declared on July 27, 2024. They also sought protection against termination of their services.
Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Jasbir Singh Mor argued that the action of removing them from the selection zone after their appointment and continued service was arbitrary, illegal and violative of the principles of natural justice. He maintained that their services could not be terminated in such a manner.
The counsel further relied upon a series of judicial precedents to contend that “cancellation of selection process after its completion and preparation of final selection list is not permissible in law”.
After issuing notice of motion, Justice Batra adjourning the matter to June 15. “In the meanwhile, status quo with regard to services of the petitioners is ordered to be maintained,” the Bench directed.
