The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought the central government's intervention in a dispute over the answer key of a Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) examination. The controversy revolves around a question on constitutional law, where candidates and the commission disagree on the correct answer.
Background of the Case
A petition was filed before the High Court challenging the PPSC's answer key for a specific question in the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) examination. The question pertained to a provision of the Indian Constitution, and the petitioners argued that the answer provided by the commission was erroneous. They claimed that the correct answer was different from what was marked in the official key, affecting the results of several candidates.
Court's Direction
Justice Sureshwar Thakur, hearing the case, noted that the matter involved a question of constitutional interpretation. The court directed the central government to submit its expert opinion on the correct answer. The bench observed that such disputes could have far-reaching implications for the recruitment process and the candidates' careers.
Next Hearing
The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 20, by which time the central government is expected to file its response. The PPSC has been asked to keep the results of the affected candidates in abeyance until further orders.
Reactions
Lawyers representing the petitioners expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating that it would ensure fairness. The PPSC has not yet commented on the development.
