A brave soldier who fought terrorists in 26/11 Mumbai attack, is now running from pillar to post to undo a clerical mistake in a caste certificate that has almost cost him a job.
Forty-year-old John P J, who was a Black Cat Commando with the National Security Guards (NSG), applied for the post of Sub-Inspector Excise in 3-B Category and ex-Army quota. However, his selection was withheld due to a mistake in the caste certificate. His name in the certificate was mentioned as P V John instead of P J John.
A native of Toregadde near Sagar in Shivamogga, John served 18 years in the Army. From 2009, he was with the NSG for three years as a Black Cat Commando. During the Mumbai attack, he was first deputed at the Nariman House and after clearing the area there, his team had entered the Taj Hotel for the search operation.
“I was part of the team led by Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. I took voluntary retirement in 2012 and came back to my home town. During 2012, KPSC called for applications and I applied for the post of Sub-Inspector Excise. After the mains, medical and physical endurance tests, my name was in a list of 400 candidates. During the final interview they (KPSC recruitment panel) told me that my selection was not possible due to a typographical error,” John said.
The caste certificate was issued by the Nemmadi Kendra in Sagar on August 9, 2012. The initials in John’s and his father’s name were interchanged. It has also gone into digital records with the mistake, he said.
“The KPSC secretary told me that my name was dropped because of the spelling error. I was asked to get a court order on the spelling mistake by producing the original documents. I approached the tahsildar, but he said it was not possible since the record was computerised with his digital signature,” he said.
John approached Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi on Tuesday requesting him to direct the authorities to correct the mistake. “It appears from the complaint that there is a mistake in the placement of the initials in the caste certificate. If it is only a clerical mistake that happened at a government office, then an otherwise eligible candidate should not be denied legitimate appointment. If Nemmadi Kendra can correct the mistake subject to verification of the original records, a person who fought terrorists to protect the dignity of the country can get employment,” Justice Adi said. The Upa Lokayukta has directed Director of Atalji Jana Snehi Kendra (Nemmadi Kendra) to take immediate action and submit a report by Friday 11.30 am.