In Brief
A man was acquitted in a criminal trial for kidnapping and related offences because prosecution witnesses turned hostile. He was provisionally selected for a constable position in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) but the Screening Committee rejected him, finding his acquittal was not "honorable" (i.e., not based on proof of innocence but merely on benefit of doubt). He sued by writ petition; the High Court ordered his appointment with consequential benefits. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that acquittal by benefit of doubt—not honorable acquittal—does not entitle someone to employment in a disciplined force. Employers retain discretion to assess fitness despite acquittal, and Screening Committee decisions are final unless proved mala fide.
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