In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of candidature of five candidates who had disclosed criminal prosecutions in their police constable recruitment applications. Although all candidates were acquitted by trial courts, the Screening Committee rejected them as unsuitable for police service. The Court held that acquittal in a criminal case does not automatically entitle appointment to a disciplined force like police. Where acquittal results from witnesses turning hostile or prosecution flaws rather than complete exoneration, the Screening Committee may properly reject the candidate. The Court emphasized that police officers must have impeccable character and integrity, and that the Screening Committee's decision is final unless proven mala fide. Courts cannot substitute their views for the Committee's judgment.
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