Harsh Vardhan v. Union Of India

$~46 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 5196/2024 HARSH VARDHAN .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Aayush Agarwala, Mr. Vipul Singh & Ms. Mukti Heliwal, Advs.

with petitioner in person.

versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through:

Ms. Arunima Dwivedi, CGSC with Ms. Swati J, Ms. Himanshi Singh & Ms. Monalisa, Advs.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AVNEESH JHINGAN

O R D E R

% 01.12.2025 1.

This petition is filed seeking quashing of order dated 14.02.2024. Further direction is sought to lift the debarment of seven years on the petitioner from taking the examination.

2.

The brief facts are that vide notification dated 30.06.2023 applications were invited by the Staff Selection Commission (for short 'SSC') for MultiTasking (Non-Technical) Staff, and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination, 2023. The petitioner applied online. The respondent using artificial intelligence found a resemblance of the petitioner with another candidate and issued a show cause notice (for short 'SCN') dated 31.10.2023. 3.

It is pleaded that the petitioner replied to the SCN but later received a notification informing that email was not delivered. 4.

The impugned order was passed by SSC cancelling the candidature of the petitioner and debarring from appearing in any examination conducted by SSC for a period of seven years. Hence, the present petition. 5.

Learned counsel for the petitioner on instructions from the client The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 05/12/2025 at 12:37:03

present in court as identified by the learned counsel restricts the prayer to the debarment of seven years. The contention is that due to technical glitch the response to the SCN could not be filed as the email was not delivered. 6.

Learned counsel for the respondent defends the impugned order and contends that the petitioner failed to avail opportunity to file reply to the SCN.

7.

The decision taken by SSC is based upon artificial intelligence match. The future of the petitioner has been affected by debarring the petitioner for seven years. In the facts and circumstances of the case, the impugned order is set aside and the writ petition is disposed of with a direction that the petitioner shall appear in the office of the Regional Director, SSC (NR), CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003 on 11.12.2025 at 11.00 AM along with the passport size photograph and the original documents uploaded with the application and the respondent shall decide the matter in accordance with law without being influenced by the observations made in the impugned order.

8.

Expeditious disposal shall be appreciated.

9.

In the event that some more material is required to be produced by the petitioner, a clear ten days notice shall be given to the petitioner. 10.

Needless to say that the petitioner shall be at liberty to avail remedies in accordance with law if aggrieved of the decision. 11.

It is clarified that this court has not opined on the merits of the controversy of the case in hand.

AVNEESH JHINGAN, J DECEMBER 1, 2025/Ch The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 05/12/2025 at 12:37:03