KPSC candidates to file fresh plea with KAT

Following the issuance of government order, rejecting KPSC’s selection list of 362 candidates on Thursday, the protesting candidates have decided to file a fresh petition with the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT), challenging the rejection.

The candidates resorted to peaceful protest, by tying white cloths around their mouths, at Freedom Park on Friday. 

Gaurav Kumar Shetty, topper in the KPSC selection list, said they will challenge the basis on which the government had withdrawn the notification.

“There have been major lapses by the government. We want to know as to based on which documents the government withdrew the notification. We will be hiring a senior counsel to file a fresh petition with KAT shortly,” he said.

Similar cases in Punjab

Shetty said there have been similar cases in the Punjab Public Service Commission, where the chairman himself was accused of taking bribe from candidates.

An amount of Rs 16 crore was found in the chairman’s house.Even with such serious allegation, the notification was not withdrawn there. Here, with no strong evidence, the government has taken extreme the step.

Govardhan Gopala, another protesting candidate, said, “Allegations are made that there have been large-scale irregularities in the selection process and that certain candidates have been favoured. But till date, neither the candidates’ names nor the names of those involved in the irregularities have come out. The government has taken a hasty decision,” said Gopala.

He said that in one of the directions by the Supreme Court, it has been pointed out that there has to be proper investigation and the entire notification cannot be withdrawn as the candidates from the batch may become victims of stigma. “Why should all candidates suffer due to a few culprits?” he said.

C S Dwarkanath, former chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, who has taken up the cause of the selected candidates for 2011, confirmed the legal options.

He said that they will file the petition before the High Court on Tuesday.

“We are yet to get a certified copy of the Government Order. Approaching the court will be our last option. We still hope there will be a change in the government’s decision. We will wait till Tuesday,” he said.

He said that the candidates are planning a rally against the government, before winding up the protest and beginning the legal battle. “ Several political parties and organisations will participate in the rally,” he said.