MP HC Reserves Order on PIL Alleging Rigging of Patwari Recruitment Exam

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has reserved its order on a public interest litigation (PIL) that alleges a major scam in the Patwari recruitment examination. The PIL, filed by Congress leader Raghunandan Singh Parmar, seeks a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities in the exam, which is conducted to appoint patwaris or village-level revenue officials. The petitioner's counsel argued that the Patwari recruitment exam was marred by a "huge scam," pointing out that seven of the top ten candidates selected had taken the test at the same examination center in Gwalior, with a total of 114 candidates from this center being chosen.

A bench comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Hirdesh heard arguments from both sides on the maintainability of the PIL before reserving the judgment. The state government's lawyer countered the allegations, branding them as baseless and relying solely on newspaper clippings.

Amidst mounting pressure and accusations of irregularities, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan decided to put on hold appointments based on the Patwari recruitment exam on July 13. This decision followed Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's accusations against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh regarding the exam's integrity.

In response to the controversy, thousands of unemployed youth staged massive protests on July 13 in various parts of the state, including Indore and Bhopal. The situation has drawn significant attention, and the court's awaited judgment will likely have far-reaching implications on the recruitment process and the overall political landscape in the state.