Gauhati High Court Orders Reinstatement of Officers Dismissed in APSC Scam

The Gauhati High Court on June 20 directed the Assam government to reinstate several gazetted officers who were dismissed in connection with the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) recruitment scam. The court ruled that officers who had successfully completed their probation period must be reinstated within 50 days, emphasizing the importance of procedural fairness and individual case review.

The judgment has stirred widespread discussion in administrative and legal circles, with the court highlighting that the dismissal of multiple officers without thorough inquiry violated their right to due process. However, the court also granted the government liberty to conduct departmental proceedings against any officer found involved in malpractice, provided such inquiries are fair and time-bound.

Many of the affected officers had claimed they were removed arbitrarily and without sufficient evidence. The High Court’s verdict is being hailed as a significant step towards restoring justice and protecting the integrity of public service. The Assam government is currently reviewing the order and is expected to issue official instructions to the concerned departments for timely implementation. Legal experts believe this ruling sets a precedent for handling similar administrative actions in the future.