Supreme Court of India
Karnati Ravi vs Commnr., Survey Settlements And Land ... on 20 July, 2017
Equivalent citations: AIR 2017 SUPREME COURT 3611, 2018 (12) SCC 635, 2017 LAB. I. C. 4016, 2017 (4) AJR 424, AIR 2017 SC (CIVIL) 2969, (2017) 155 FACLR 680, (2017) 4 SCT 397(1), (2018) 1 SERVLR 96, AIR 2017 SC (CIV) 2969 (2017) 8 SCALE 588, (2017) 8 SCALE 588
Author: Kurian Joseph
Bench: R. Banumathi, Kurian Joseph
1
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.897/2010
KARNATI RAVI & ANR. Appellants
VERSUS
COMMISSIONER
SURVEY SETTLEMENTS AND LAND RECORDS & ORS. Respondents
WITH
C.A. No.898/2010
J U D G M E N T
KURIAN, J.
1. The issue raised in these Appeals pertains to the question whether in the matter of selection and appointment, executive instructions pertaining to the procedure of selection, which is not prescribed under the Rules can rule the field.
2. The appellants participated in the selection for appointment as Deputy Surveyor. There is no dispute that all of them possessed the qualification for the post. The procedure for selection was, however, not available under the Rules and, therefore, by executive instructions, it was notified that the participants would Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by ASHA SUNDRIYAL Date: 2017.07.26 be subjected to a written test and also a physical 16:49:40 IST Reason: endurance test.
3. It is the contention of the appellants that the 2 physical endurance test is not a test prescribed under the Rules, unlike in the case of selection of a Police Constable where it is a prescribed procedure.
4. We are afraid this contention cannot be appreciated.
5. It may be seen that even a written examination is not a procedure prescribed under the Rules. The Rules only provide the essential qualifications for the post. The method of selection, in the absence of Rules has to be supplied by the executive instructions. All the appellants have appeared in the written examination. They were also subjected to a physical endurance test which they could not qualify. It is, thereafter, the unsuccessful candidates in the physical endurance test put up a challenge regarding the validity of the executive instructions whereby physical endurance test has been prescribed.
6. As we have already noted above, in the absence of the Rules, it is well within the powers of the Executive under Article 162 of the Constitution to provide for the required instructions with regard to the procedure for selection, so long as they do not come in conflict with the Rules.
7. That apart, all the candidates have participated in the selection, both in the written examination, though 3 not a prescribed one, for which there is no objection, as also the physical endurance test. Having participated in the selection without any objection, they cannot later challenge the procedure.
8. In view of the above, we do not find any merit in these Appeals and the same are dismissed.
…................J. [KURIAN JOSEPH] .................J. [R. BANUMATHI] JULY 20, 2017;
NEW DELHI.