More often than not, quality of law and order in society and maintenance thereof depends upon character of persons serving in Police Force. It becomes imperative, recruitees should be persons beyond reproach and men with rectitude. Rajkumar Yadav had challenged the rejection of his candidature by the Screening Committee for appointment as a Constable (Driver).

The concept of ‘honourably acquitted’ often becomes hazy. An acquittal founded on benefit of doubt is an acquittal based on a technical ground. Rajkumar’s acquittal was governed by such criteria. Commissioner of Police, New Delhi v. Mehar Singh, (2013) 7 SCC 685 emphasised, satisfactory character antecedent has to be insisted for. Union Territory, Chandigarh Administration v. Pradeep Kumar, (2018) 1 SCC 797 reiterated, Police Service requires good character, integrity and clean antecedents. Court underlined, acquittal in a criminal case is not always conclusive of suitability of a candidate. In a given case, moral turpitude may not result into legally proved guilt and it may go unpunished for variety of reasons. Still however, it remains a conduct against decency, morality and norms.

Division Bench of High Court trampled upon the Screening Committee’s discretion which was validly exercised to treat Rajkumar as unsuitable.

– Hon’ble Justice N.V. Anjaria, State of Madhya Pradesh v. Rajkumar Yadav, [Civil Appeal No. 3279 of 2026].