Supreme Court of India · 2010-04-19
Surender Paswan & Ors vs State Of Bihar & Ors
- Citation / case number
- AIR 2010 SUPREME COURT 2167
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- Surender Paswan & Ors
- Respondent
- State Of Bihar & Ors
- Author
- R.V.Raveendran
- Bench
- Deepak Verma, R M Lodha, R V Raveendran
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court addressed the legality of appointments of Chowkidars in Bihar, emphasizing that preferential treatment based on descent violates Article 16 of the Constitution, as established in Yogender Pal Singh v. Union of India [1987 (1) SCC 631]. The Court held that the Circular issued by the State Government allowing legal heirs of Chowkidars to be appointed was unconstitutional, as it contravened the principle of equal opportunity in public employment. The Court quashed the termination of the selected candidates' appointments, affirming their right to due process before termination.