JAMMU, Aug 26: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ruled that illegal appointments cannot be shielded under equity or principles of natural justice & dismissed the petition of an Anganwari Helper from Kathua district who challenged her termination.
The petitioner, Geeta Devi, had been engaged as an Anganwari Helper in 2006 at Malti Centre, Billawar, Kathua, but was terminated in 2014 following a complaint before the State Vigilance Commission
The Commission found that she, along with three others, was appointed without advertisement, competition, or proper selection process, relying instead on a recommendation letter from a local MLA.
Justice Sanjay Dhar upheld the Vigilance Commission’s findings, observing that the petitioner’s appointment was void ab initio.
The High Court further added that long years of service cannot validate an illegal entry into Government service. Her engagement being illegal is nullity in the eyes of law.
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