PIL challenges cop recruitment process in Junglemahal

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on Tuesday challenging the constitutional validity of the eligibility condition stipulated in the recruitment process of junior police constables in Junglemahal. In September,the state government had issued a notification for recruitment of 5000 police constables in Junglemahal areas to combat the Maoist menace.

The notification had imposed a condition that only the residents of the areas falling in 28 police stations of West Midnapore,Bankura and Purulia would be eligible to apply for the post of junior constables. This condition has been challenged in the PIL which was filed by Arunangsu Chakraborty,a resident of Kolkata. The PIL pointed out this violated the article of 16(2) and 16(3) of the Indian Constitution. The article 16 of the Indian Constitution states that there shall be equality of opportunity for all the citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the state.