Facts
The petitioner, a recognized minority aided institution, conducted a selection process for the post of Clerk on 25.05.2017
Source reference: para 3-7The Management had sought a nominee from the District Basic Education Officer (BSA), and one Shri Jitendra Kumar Pandey participated as the representative
Source reference: para 6The selection papers were submitted to the BSA on 04.09.2017
Source reference: para 7The BSA issued an order dated 28.09.2017 disapproving the appointment, citing an improperly constituted selection committee (due to lack of official nomination), delay in submitting papers, and issues with the advertisement
Source reference: para 11, 31This order was posted on 05.10.2017 and received by the institution on 07.10.2017
Source reference: para 9, 17Issues
1. Whether the delay in communicating the BSA's decision beyond the 30-day statutory period resulted in "deemed approval" of the appointment under Rule 15(5)(iii) of the 1984 Rules
Source reference: para 14, 652. Whether the participation of a nominee not formally authorized by the BSA, or the delay in forwarding selection papers, vitiated the recruitment process
Source reference: para 50, 59, 683. Whether the writ petition was maintainable at the behest of the Committee of Management
Source reference: para 79Law Applied
Rule 15(5)(iii) of the U.P. Recognized Basic Schools (Junior High Schools) (Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Ministerial Staff and Group D Employees) Rules, 1984, which mandates that if the BSA does not communicate a decision within one month of receipt of papers, approval is deemed granted
Source reference: para 42, 65Rule 14 regarding the constitution of the Selection Committee
Source reference: para 42The principle from State of U.P. v. Gunjan Singh that the management cannot be penalized for the BSA’s failure to formally nominate a representative
Source reference: para 67The principle that procedural timelines (Rules 15(3) and (4)) are directory unless the statute provides penal consequences
Source reference: para 59Reasoning
The court found that since the selection papers were received by the BSA office on 04.09.2017, the 30-day window for communication expired on 04.10.2017. Because the disapproval order was only communicated on 07.10.2017, "deemed approval" took effect by operation of law
Source reference: para 18, 64-66Regarding the Selection Committee's constitution, the court reasoned that since a representative (Shri Pandey) actually participated and signed the proceedings, the lack of a formal nomination letter was a "hyper-technical" irregularity that did not invalidate the selection
Source reference: para 50-52, 69The court further noted that the delay in forwarding papers was reasonably explained by a flood situation in Gorakhpur and, as Rule 15 is directory, such a post-selection procedural lapse did not justify disapproval
Source reference: para 58-62Finally, the court dismissed the challenge to maintainability, noting the petition had been pending since 2018 and the objection was a belated afterthought
Source reference: para 80-82Holding
The court held that the appointment of Vikas Alexander was perfected by "deemed approval" under Rule 15(5)(iii) of the 1984 Rules because the BSA failed to communicate its decision within the mandatory 30-day period
The court quashed the impugned order dated 28.09.2017, allowed the writ petition, and directed that all consequential benefits, including salary payment, be provided to the selected candidate
Source reference: para 83-86Original Court PDF
C/M St. Johns Girls Junior High SchoolvsState Of U.P. And Another
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