Forensic Analysis Unveils Discrepancies in Marks; Court Directs Interview for Geetanjali Majhi
In a landmark decision, the Orissa High Court has directed the Registrar General to conduct an interview for Geetanjali Majhi, a candidate for the Cadre of District Judge, after forensic analysis revealed manipulation in her examination scores. The judgment, delivered by Justices Manash Ranjan Pathak and Sibo Sankar Mishra, uncovered discrepancies in the marking of Majhi's Paper-III (General English), which initially disqualified her from the interview stage.
The controversy began when Majhi, represented by Advocate Ms. Saswati Mohapatra, discovered through an RTI application that her marks had been erroneously computed, showing 42 instead of the 45 she actually secured. This error prevented her from qualifying for the interview, as candidates needed a minimum of 45% in each paper.
Upon Majhi's writ petition, the court ordered a forensic examination of the answer scripts. The investigation by the Orissa Police State Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed alterations in the marks, made with different ink and handwriting. These findings prompted the court to conclude that Majhi indeed secured the necessary 45 marks.
In response to the court's directive, the Registrar General has been instructed to present the matter to the Chief Justice for the constitution of a new interview committee. The judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to fairness and transparency, especially in recruitment processes.
The judgment also highlighted procedural lapses in the Right to Information response, as Majhi's request for the model answer sheet was denied under the Orissa High Court RTI Rules, 2005. This case sets a precedent for accountability in recruitment examinations and the importance of forensic analysis in resolving disputes.
Bottom Line :
Recruitment Process - Manipulation in marks of answer script examined through forensic analysis - Candidate found eligible for interview - Court directs constitution of committee for conducting interview.
Statutory provision(s): Odisha Superior Judicial Service Rules, 2007, Right to Information Act, 2005
Geetanjali Majhi v. Registrar General, Orissa High Court, (Orissa)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2962813
