Concealment of information is disqualification: CAT

Concealment of "vital facts" relating to any criminal case in the job application form can disqualify a candidate from being selected for a post, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held.

Concealment of "vital facts" relating to any criminal case in the job application form can disqualify a candidate from being selected for a post, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held.

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"The consequence of the omission as far as the applicant was concerned was indeed grave, but when the yardsticks are required to be applied uniformly, we do not find any error on the part of the government in coming to the conclusion that it operated as an instance of suppression of vital details," the tribunal said.

The bench of CAT, comprising Vice Chairman M Ramachandran and Member N D Dayal, passed the order on an ex-serviceman's plea, challenging the rejection of his candidature by the Delhi Police on the ground of concealment of his involvement in a criminal case with dishonest intention.

Kartar Singh, 40, was selected as constable in the Delhi Police but his candidature was rejected for suppressing information regarding an FIR registered against him in connection with a case under section 498A (cruelty) of IPC.

Singh contended that the allegations against him were simply to spite him in a family dispute. He said his candidature has become acceptable and on a technical plea that certain relevant matters have not been disclosed, it will be harsh to reject him.