HC gives more time to Maha govt for reply on deaths during police recruitment

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today granted further three weeks' time to the Maharashtra Government and police authorities to file replies to a public interest litigation seeking a stay to the police recruitment drive following deaths of some candidates during the 5-km running test.

HC gives more time to govt for reply on deaths during police recruitment. File Pic

According to the PIL, four candidates died during or after the test.

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The division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah was informed today that the Director General of Police Sanjeev Dayal and Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria had not yet filed their affidavits in reply.

As the government and police sought more time, the hearing was adjourned by three weeks.

The PIL, filed by All Maharashtra Human Rights Welfare Association, seeks compensation for the families of the dead candidates also for those who fell ill during the test.

A letter written by the Association to the HC has been converted into a PIL. The letter prays for a stay to the recruitment, issuance of guidelines by the state to monitor the recruitment process, formation of a committee to supervise the procedure and award of compensation to the families of the deceased.

The letter says that the government failed to provide basic facilities like water, food, toilets and shelter to the candidates who had to sleep in the open. At many centres, due to the small grounds, the physical test was held on roads, the letter alleges.