The Jammu and Kashmir administration terminated the services of 103 firemen and fireman drivers appointed in the Fire and Emergency Services Department following findings of large-scale manipulation in the 2020 recruitment process. The order declares their appointments void from inception due to fraud.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Government Order No. 608-Home of 2025, issued by the Home Department on December 15, references an Inquiry Committee report from February 2024 and Anti-Corruption Bureau investigations. The ACB registered FIR No. 01/2025 on January 2, 2025, uncovering tampering of OMR sheets, fabricated answer sheet images and merit list alterations favoring 106 candidates.
The order states these appointments were secured through criminal means, including paper leakage and result manipulation. Kashmir Observer reported that candidates received marks exceeding their actual scores, supported by digital evidence and admissions of illegal payments.
Protections under Article 311 of the Constitution do not apply, as the appointments were illegal ab initio. The order cites High Court of J&K and Ladakh judgment in Mohammad Yousuf Allie Vs High Court of J&K (2023) and Supreme Court ruling in Punjab Urban Planning & Development Authority vs. Karamjit Singh (2019), affirming no inquiry is needed for fraudulent entries.
Three of the 106 identified had their appointments cancelled earlier for failing formalities. The remaining 103, listed in Annexure A with names, parentage and addresses, cease to be on the department’s establishment immediately.
The Competent Authority noted continuation would perpetuate illegality and undermine public trust. As per reports the terminations follow a 2022 committee probe into allegations of irregularities.
Copies were sent to the Director of Fire and Emergency Services for action, along with other officials. No appeals or further statements from the affected were mentioned as of Monday.
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