Quick Summary: The Delhi High Court decided that problems related to hiring for the Railway Protection Force (RPF) can be looked at by the Central Administrative Tribunal. This happened after the Union of India questioned a previous decision that supported Kapil Gurjar, who was not given a job because of medical reasons.
In 2018, the Ministry of Railways announced job openings for Sub-Inspectors in the RPF. Kapil Gurjar applied under the OBC category and passed all necessary tests, but was told he was not medically fit because he had Lasik eye surgery. Kapil Gurjar argued against this decision and asked for another medical check. However, a Medical Board agreed with the original decision that he was not fit.
On November 11, 2022, the Central Administrative Tribunal ordered that Kapil Gurjar should be given an appointment letter. They decided that the Tribunal had the power to deal with issues related to RPF hiring.
The Union of India, represented by Mr. Chetan Sharma, argued that the RPF is a part of the Armed Forces, and so, its hiring should not be handled by the Tribunal. They referred to a part of the Administrative Tribunals Act that says Armed Forces are not covered by the Tribunal.
"The RPF is an Armed Force of the Union, and recruitment therein is neither to an All India Service nor to a Civil Service of the Union," argued Mr. Sharma.
The court looked at the constitution and laws, including the Administrative Tribunals Act and the Railway Protection Force Act. They decided that even though the RPF is an Armed Force, it is also seen as a Central Civil Service. So, hiring issues can be handled by the Tribunal.
The Delhi High Court, led by Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Madhu Jain, agreed that the Tribunal can handle RPF hiring cases. They made it clear that only issues involving current RPF members are not covered by the Tribunal.
"Any dispute related to recruitment to the RPF, raised by a person not already a member of the Armed Force, falls within the jurisdiction of the learned Tribunal," the court ruled.
The court said that the issue of who has the right to handle these cases should be discussed further on January 29, 2026.
This decision is important because it explains who can handle hiring problems for groups like the RPF, making sure that people who want to join have a place to voice their concerns.
