The Delhi High Court have recently ruled that individuals with defective colour vision can’t be appointed as constables in the Delhi Police.
The decision, delivered by a bench comprising Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Amit Sharma, upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal’s stance that defective colour vision constitutes a medical defect rendering candidates unfit for the role.
“There can be no cavil with the finding of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that defective colour vision is a defect. As such, the petitioners clearly suffer from a defect which renders them unfit for appointment as constables in the Delhi Police,” the bench stated.
The court emphasized the need for higher medical fitness standards for candidates applying to police and similar forces compared to civilian posts.
It highlighted that rigorous medical criteria are essential to ensure that personnel are fully capable of performing the demanding duties expected of them.
The petitioners had approached the High Court after CAT refused to entertain their application for appointment in the Delhi Police.
Their counsel argued that “defective colour vision” is distinct from “colour blindness” and should not disqualify them from being appointed as constables.
However, Central Government Standing Counsel Ashish Dixit, representing the Delhi Police, opposed the petition, asserting that defective colour vision is a recognized medical defect. He argued that the recruitment advertisement explicitly required candidates to be free from such defects, leaving no room for exceptions.
After reviewing the submissions, the bench concluded that the CAT’s ruling required no intervention.
“We do not find any cause to interfere with the judgment of the Tribunal. This writ petition accordingly stands dismissed in limine,” the court declared.
This decision underscores the stringent medical requirements for police recruits and reaffirms the importance of ensuring that candidates meet the prescribed physical and medical standards. By dismissing the petition, the High Court has reinforced the view that any compromise on these standards could hinder the effective functioning of law enforcement personnel.
The judgment not only clarifies the legal position on defective colour vision for police recruits but also serves as a reminder of the critical role medical fitness plays in maintaining operational readiness in the police force.
