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Thereafter, the respondent No.5, by a letter dated 30.05.2023, submitted the status report of the said interview of Assistant Professor Department of Political Science (SC reserved & Roaster point 36), before the respondent No. 2 wherein, it was stated that the interview for the said post took place on 19.05.2022 and out of 13 candidates, 4 candidates had appeared before the selection committee and keeping in view of the screening committee report and after verifying the academic records and other necessary testimonials, the selection committee duly recorded the marks of each candidates in the prescribed format. It was also stated that two applicants namely, Diksha Das, and Ms. Anupama Das lacked proficiency in local language and Shri Saibal Das did not submit the PRC in proper format and therefore, the petitioner was the only bona-fide candidate, fulfilling all the criteria in submitting records and other testimonials. In the said letter, it was specifically mentioned that the selection process was almost completed and while the process of selection was almost completed and recommendation of the name of the candidates was to be made, all of a sudden, the process was stopped due to flood havoc and accordingly, the interview was postponed with a note of the Chairman, Selection Committee, wherein it has been clearly stated that the interview remained inconclusive and the same interview will be held when normalcy will be restored.

4. The petitioner had also filed one additional affidavit, bringing on record certain vital information supported by requisite documents, (Annexure - 13 and 14) pertaining to her case, which she had received through RTI application after filing of the Writ Petition. She also stated that pursuant to the advertisement, dated 21.03.2022, the selection process for all other posts in respect of the subjects mentioned therein have already been completed and the selected candidates were appointed in their respective posts barring the post of Assistant Professor of Political Science (SC reserved & Roaster point 36). In the Post of Assistant Professor in Political Science (General), though the numbers of total applicants were 23, only 4 applicants/candidates had appeared in the interview, which was held on 18.05.2022, and in the said selection process, one Ms. Annanya Paul was selected, and subsequently, appointed to the post. It is further stated by the petitioner that for the post of Assistant Professor in Political Science (SC reserved post), there were all total 13 applicants/candidates, out of which only 4 candidates appeared, including the petitioner, in the said interview held on 19.05.2022. But, unlike the Post of Assistant Professor in Political Science (General), result of interview held for the post of Assistant Professor in Political Science (SC reserved post) was not declared. Moreover, there was not a single complaint from any of the applicants expressing difficulties in appearing in the interview. Further, it is stated that she had submitted a representation before the respondent No. 2, on 13.03.2023 (Annexure - 15) praying for issuance of necessary direction to the respondent No. 5 to cancel the G.B. Resolution No. 5 (b), dated 07.06.2022, as regards interview for the post of Assistant Professor (SC reserved & Roaster point 36) in the department of Political Science in SS College, Hailakandi. Then the respondent No.2 vide his letter dated 10.04.2023, requested the respondent No. 5 to submit status report on the matter to him and accordingly, the respondent No.5 had submitted a status report (Annexure-7, page- 27 of the instant writ petition) on 30.05.2023. Surprisingly, even after taking into consideration the facts regarding completion of selection process for the post of Assistant Professor in Political Science (SC reserved post) as reflected in the Status Report submitted by the respondent No.5, the respondent No.2, in a most arbitrary manner, regretted the petitioner's representation dated 13.03.2023, vide order dated 14.03.2024 (Annexure- 16).

Hence, petition of Uttara Roy dated 13- 03-2023 is hereby regretted.‛ 15.2. This hearing report, as well as the impugned letter, dated 15.07.2024, appears to be the outcome of sheer non application of mind by the respondent Nos. 3 & 2 respectively. The respondent Nos. 2 & 3 both had failed to perceive that no apparent reason was assigned by the G.B. while cancelling the interview held on 19.05.2022. Inspite of making an observation that the process of selection was almost completed and recommendation of the name of the selected candidate was to be made, by the respondent No. 2 in the hearing report he had chosen to regret the prayer of the petitioner, in her representation dated 13.03.2023. He had also failed to consider the report of the Principal, S.S. College, dated 30.05.2023, that was called by him, which also reveals that the process of selection was almost completed and recommendation of the name of the selected candidate was to be made. He has also failed to take note of the Notice (Annexure-5) issued by the President, Governing Body, S.S. College, Hailakandi on 19.05.2022, notifying that ‚as all the members of Selection Committee had to leave the College instantly owing to reported disruption of road communication, it is decided to hold the same interview after the restoration of normalcy observing all necessary formalities at a convenient time.‛ Moreover, Annexure - 1 of the Affidavit-in-Opposition of the respondent No. 5, indicates that the Assam University had declared the University and its affiliated Colleges close till 20.05.2022, only. Said Notice was issued by the Registrar of the University on 18.05.2022, and that too on the basis of the letter of the Deputy Commissioner, Cachar dated 18.05.2022. If the Colleges were declared closed till 20.05.2022, the circumstances, compelling the Governing Body, S.S. College, to cancel the interview held on 19.05.2022, immediately on 07.06.2022, are not indicated in the impugned resolution of the G.B., dated 07.06.2022. Indisputably, no complaint was also received from any quarter regarding the interview held on 19.05.2022.

16.3. To a pointed query of this Court, during the course of hearing, Mr. Choudhury, the learned Counsel for the respondent No. 5, as to the reason for cacellation of the interview held on 19.05.2022, while the interview was almost completed and there remains to declare the name of the selected candidate only, he submits that due to flood havoc and also due to elapse of sufficient time, and also due to difficulties in assembling the members of the selection committee, to complete the selection process, the Governing Body had taken the decision to cancel the interview. But, this submission also left this Court unimpressed in as much as the interview was cancelled just after 17 days, on 07.06.2022, while the interview was held on 19.05.2022. As discussed herein above, on account of flood the Colleges under Assam University were declared close till 20.05.2022 only. Moreover, the President, Governing Body, S.S. College, Hailakandi had issued the Notice (Annexure-5) dated 19.05.2022, notifying that to hold the same interview after the restoration of normalcy observing all necessary formalities at a convenient time. Unfortunately, this normalcy never came for the Governing Body of the College, for which it had hurriedly cancelled the interview, just after 17 days.