The Gauhati High Court has ruled that reports from an inquiry panel investigating irregularities in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) exams cannot be used to prosecute candidates, citing procedural deficiencies. The decision, delivered late Tuesday, has halted ongoing prosecutions based on the panel’s findings, raising questions about the fairness of the investigation process.
Background investigations revealed that the APSC exam probe was initiated following allegations of corruption and favoritism in the recruitment process. The inquiry panel, constituted to address these claims, submitted its report to the state government last year. However, the High Court found that the panel’s methodology lacked transparency and did not adhere to established legal standards, rendering its findings inadmissible in court.
“The court’s decision underscores the importance of procedural integrity in such investigations,” a legal analyst familiar with the case told SourceRated. “Without proper adherence to due process, the findings lose their credibility.” Officials close to the investigation declined to comment on record, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
The ruling could have significant implications for future probes into public service recruitment irregularities. Legal experts suggest that the decision may prompt stricter oversight of inquiry panels and their methodologies. Meanwhile, candidates implicated in the APSC scandal have welcomed the verdict, arguing that it vindicates their claims of unfair treatment.