Patna High Court
Ragini KumariversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The Court held that the writ petitions are infructuous and may be disposed of as no relief can be granted after the petitioners' superannuation and the amendment of rules.
Summary
The petitioners, who were candidates for appointment as Assistant Teachers, filed writ petitions challenging the denial of their appointments. During the pendency of the petitions, the petitioners attained the age of superannuation and the applicable recruitment rules were amended, introducing fresh eligibility criteria. The State and the Bihar Staff Selection Commission argued that the matters were connected and should be disposed of uniformly. The Court observed that more than a decade had elapsed, the petitioners were no longer eligible for appointment, and the changed rules gave rights to newly eligible candidates. Consequently, the Court held that no relief could be granted to the petitioners and declared the writ petitions infructuous. All three writ petitions were therefore disposed of without granting any relief.
Issues considered
- Whether relief can be granted to petitioners who have attained superannuation during the pendency of the writ petition
- Whether the change in recruitment rules and the lapse of time render the writ petitions infructuous
Subjects
- writ petition
- superannuation
- appointment
- infructuous
- staff selection commission
- education department
- delay
- rule change
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.13290 of 2019
======================================================
Ragini Kumari daughter of Late Rajeshwar Prasad Singh and wife of Krishna
Mohan Thakur resident of Village- Patahi Hari, P.O. Patahi, P.S. Muzaffarpur
Sadar, District- Muzaffarpur.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Principal Secretary, Education Department, Government of Bihar,
Patna.
3. The Director, Primary Education, Education Department, Government of
Bihar, Patna.
4. The Joint Director, Primary Education, Education Department, Government
of Bihar, Patna.
5. The Staff Selection Commission, Bihar, Patna through the Chairman,
Veterinary College Campus, Patna.
6. The Chairman, The Staff Selection Commission, Bihar, Patna, Veterinary
College Campus, Patna.
7. The Secretary, The Staff Selection Commission, Bihar, Patna, Veterinary
College Campus, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
with
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 16338 of 2019
======================================================
Md. Sultan Ahmad Son of Md. Sayeed Ahmad, Resident of Village- Chhoti
Borna, P.O- Borna, P.S.- Gogri, District- Khagria.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar.
2. The Principal Secretary, Department of Education, Government of Bihar,
Patna.
3. The Director, Primary Education, Government of Bihar, Patna.
4. The Bihar Staff Selection Commission, Through its Secretary, Vetenary
College, Patna.
5. The Secretary, Bihar Staff Selection Commission, Veterinary College, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
with
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 16377 of 2019
======================================================
Shashi Mohan Jha, Son of Late Jaideo Jha @ Jagdeo Jha, resident of Mohalla
Budha Colony Adalbari Ward No. 3, P.S.- Hajipur Town District- Vaishali.
... ... Petitioner/s
Patna High Court CWJC No.13290 of 2019(7) dt.16-02-2026
2/3
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Human Resources
Development Department, Government of Bihar Patna.
2. The Secretary Bihar Staff Selection Commission Patna.
3. The Chairman Bihar Staff Selection Commission Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
(In Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 13290 of 2019)
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Vijay Kumar Singh, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Ms. Namrata Singh, AC to EX GA-12
For BSSC : Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Adv.
(In Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 16338 of 2019)
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Md. Shakir Ahmad, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Ms. Namrata Singh, AC to EX GA-12
(In Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 16377 of 2019)
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Pramod Kumar Verma, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Ms. Namrata Singh, AC to EX GA-12
For BSSC : Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Adv.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
7 16-02-2026 Mr. Vijay Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the
petitioners submits that during pendency of the instant writ
petition, the petitioners have attained the age of superannuation,
the entitlement of the petitioners, for appointment as against the
post of Assistant Teacher, now could not be made in respect of
these petitioners and as also the issues having been put at rest by
the order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench in CWJC No. 81 of
2023 wherein, the Co-ordinate Bench has taken a view that now
no relief can be granted to these petitioners with the passage of
more than a decade and the rules having been changed and fresh
right has also accrued to the persons, who have acquired
eligibility during the pendency of the writ petition and it is
Patna High Court CWJC No.13290 of 2019(7) dt.16-02-2026
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almost sixteen years have elapsed, therefore, these matters are
required to be closed in terms of the order dated 13.01.2023
passed in CWJC No. 81 of 2023.
2. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for
the State and as also for the Bihar Staff Selection Commission,
Patna submit that since all the aforesaid writ petitions are
connected matter and have similar issues, as such, the same may
be disposed of in similar terms.
3. In view of the above, all these writ petitions stand
disposed of as having become infructuous.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
perwez
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