In Brief
A police constable hired in 2005 was found medically unfit due to knock knees in 2007 and again in 2009, leading to termination. After the State withdrew a related appeal in 2013, he sought reinstatement by claiming parity with similarly-situated candidates and was provisionally rehired without disclosure of his medical condition. The State later initiated disciplinary proceedings and terminated him again. The High Court upheld his reinstatement, finding no misrepresentation. The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that medical fitness is a non-negotiable eligibility requirement for uniformed services. The Court ruled that lack of basic qualifications goes to the root of appointment, and the State's procedural negligence cannot cure fundamental ineligibility. The termination was restored, though salary for actual work performed was not to be recovered.
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