Himachal HC Rejects Plea For Video Recording In HPPSC Selection

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has recently rejected a petition seeking directions to the state Public Service Commission and other recruiting agencies to frame rules and guidelines for video recording of the selection process consisting of tests & interviews.

The verdict was delivered by a bench of Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel on a petition filed by an NGO, People for Responsible Governance.

Keeping in view, the concerns of the Service Commission and also having regard to its constitutional position, no relief can be granted to the petitioner, the high court order said.

The petitioner sought directions to the respondents to frame rules/guidelines for video-recording of the selection process including tests and interviews.

The state government, in its reply, submitted that a call is required to be taken by the agencies at their end and also the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission is a constitutional body and knows its responsibility more than anyone else.

The HPPSC contended that it had framed its rules of business and that selections are being made based on recruitment rules of departments and Universities concerned.
Further, it asserted that the selection process for several posts is fair and transparent and on the basis of the selection process and prescribed procedure.

The order stated that, the respondents submitted that the video recording is being done at the time of the written test for various posts but regarding the interviews, the HPPSC raised objections and the high court found some of those valid.

The Commission maintained interaction/discussions between the interview and candidate that are confidential in nature and putting the videography of the content of the interview in the public domain that would amount to sanctity compromising of the interview process that would lead to voidable multiplicity of litigation.

Further, the order said, in view of the concerns of the Service Commission and also having regard to its constitutional position, no relief can be granted to the petitioner.