SC orders appointment of 1,137 candidates from 27th BCS

The Supreme Court has ordered the appointment of 1,137 qualified candidates from the 27th BCS who were denied employment 17 years ago.

A five-judge Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the verdict on Thursday (20 February) after hearing an appeal in this regard.

Following the verdict, petitioner's lawyer Salah Uddin Dolan told journalists that nearly 1,200 people willing to join will receive appointments with appropriate seniority in the 27th batch.

Asked when they will be appointed, the lawyer said the High Court verdict stipulated that appointments must be made within 90 days.

During the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led caretaker government, a decision was made to cancel the viva exam in the 27th BCS, leading to a second round of viva.

However, those denied recruitment filed a writ challenging the decision to hold the second viva.

In 2008, a High Court bench declared the cancellation of the first viva result valid. However, in 2009, another High Court bench declared the second viva illegal.

Meanwhile, 25 candidates deprived of recruitment filed two leave-to-appeal petitions in the Appellate Division against the first verdict, while the government filed three leave-to-appeal petitions against the second verdict.

After some observations, the Appellate Division resolved the government's leave-to-appeal petitions and delivered its verdict in 2010, upholding the High Court's ruling that validated the cancellation of the first viva examination in the 27th BCS.

Subsequently, following a review petition against the Appellate Division's verdict, leave to appeal was granted. Three separate appeals were filed last year on behalf of 1,137 candidates deprived of recruitment, along with 140 applicants seeking a review of the verdict.

In response to these petitions, the Appellate Division granted leave to appeal and issued an order, leading to the current appeal.