Supreme Court Strikes Down Karnataka Law Validating 362 Gazetted Probationers' Appointments

Major Setback for State Government in 2011 KPSC Recruitment Controversy

The Supreme Court has delivered a significant verdict in the long-running dispute over the recruitment of 362 Gazetted Probationers selected by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) in 2011, striking down the Karnataka government's 2022 law that sought to validate the selection and appointments.

The ruling marks a major setback for the state government, which had enacted legislation to restore the disputed recruitment list and facilitate appointments of the selected candidates.

The recruitment controversy dates back to 2013, when allegations of irregularities and corruption surfaced in the selection process. Following a CID investigation, the state government cancelled the recruitment. Subsequent litigation saw the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal initially favour the candidates, but the High Court overturned its decision, a ruling later upheld by the Supreme Court.

In 2022, the state enacted the Karnataka Civil Services (Validation of Selection and Appointment of 2011 Batch Gazetted Probationers) Act, seeking to validate the selection and appointments despite the earlier legal proceedings.

According to reports published on October 29, the Supreme Court has now struck down the legislation, reopening questions surrounding the appointments and the future of the affected candidates. The immediate administrative consequences for serving officers remain unclear.