Rani v. State Of Haryana And Others

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ***** Date of Decision : 15.11.2023 Rani ..... Petitioner versus The State of Haryana and another ..... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA Present: Mr. Sumeet S. Brar, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Sanjeev Kaushik, Addl. AG, Haryana --- TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA J. (ORAL):

This petition has been filed, inter alia, seeking direction to the respondents to allow the petitioner to participate in the recruitment process for the post of Trained Graduate Teacher/TGT-Punjabi, pursuant to advertisement no.4 of 2023.

2.

As per facts apparent on record, the advertisement no.4/2023 for TGT-Punjabi posts was published on 12.9.2023, and closing date for submission of online applications was 9.10.2023. The candidates who had earlier applied for the post of TGT-Punjabi (Rest of Haryana), pursuant to the earlier advertisement no.1/2020, were to be given age relaxation and exemption from payment of fee against the re-advertised posts, provided they applied afresh alongwith proof of depositing the application fee. 3.

Learned counsel contends that the petitioner was not able to submit her application online due to a technical glitch in the Commission's website on the last date of submission of applications. As

-2she was an applicant for the posts earlier advertised, her application should be entertained.

4.

Learned State counsel, on instructions, contends that even on the last date a large number of applications were accepted, which itself establishes that there was no technical glitch preventing the candidates to submit the same. Therefore, the petitioner's plea cannot be accepted. 5.

Heard.

6.

Undisputedly, the last date for submission of application forms was 9.10.2023. As per condition in the advertisement, the candidates who were applicants for the earlier advertised post of TGT-Punjabi (Rest of Haryana), were also required to apply afresh alongwith proof of having deposited the application fee to claim the benefit. Undoubtedly, this fresh application was to be submitted before the closing date which the petitioner could not do. It is settled law that closing date for submission of the application forms cannot be extended, unless it has been arbitrarily fixed or the applicants have been prevented from uploading the forms due to some technical malfunction or any other related cause.

It could not be pointed out during course of arguments by learned counsel for the petitioner that there is any arbitrariness about the closing date. Also, the plea of said technical defect on the last date of submissions of applications cannot be accepted as it is not substantiated by any material on record. And learned State counsel has submitted that even on the closing date a large number of application forms were accepted by the Commission. On similar facts this Court, in CWP No.16440 of 2023 titled Reena Kumari v. State of Haryana and another decided on 17.8.2023, has already held that the closing date cannot be extended.

-37.

In view thereof, there is no ground to entertain the petition. 8.

Dismissed.

(TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA) JUDGE 15.11.2023 Aw Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No