Srinagar: In one of the strongest administrative actions taken against recruitment-related corruption in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha this week ordered the termination of services of 103 employees of the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department after their appointments were found to be illegal and fraudulently secured through a manipulated recruitment process conducted in 2020. The decision follows a detailed inquiry and a criminal investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which uncovered large-scale irregularities including question paper leakage, tampering of OMR sheets, fabricated answer sheets, and manipulation of merit lists. The action sends a strong message from the UT administration that corruption in public recruitment will not be tolerated, irrespective of the time elapsed since the wrongdoing.
Inquiry, Investigation, Findings: According to an official order issued by the J&K Home Department, headed by the Lieutenant Governor, the government had constituted an inquiry committee on December 12, 2022 to examine allegations of irregularities in the recruitment of firemen and drivers in the Fire and Emergency Services Department. Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, in the termination order, stated that after a detailed examination of records and complaints, the committee recommended a criminal investigation by the ACB. Acting on these recommendations, the ACB registered an FIR on January 2, 2025, followed by a preliminary verification report submitted on January 9 and additional communications in November 2025. The ACB investigation revealed systematic and deliberate manipulation of the recruitment process. It established that scanned images of OMR answer sheets were fabricated, marks were illegally inflated, and merit lists were altered to favour selected candidates. According to the report, 106 candidates were awarded marks far in excess of what they had actually secured, conclusively proving criminal conspiracy and fraud.
Appointments Declared Void ab Initio: The Home Department order made it clear that the appointments of the beneficiaries were void ab initio, meaning they were invalid from the very beginning. It stated that the foundation of their employment was vitiated by fraud, making the protections under Article 311(2) of the Constitution—which safeguards civil servants from arbitrary dismissal—inapplicable in this case. Citing multiple judgments of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and the Supreme Court, the order clarified that constitutional protection does not extend to cases where the appointment itself is illegal. Out of the 106 candidates identified by the ACB, three appointments had already been cancelled earlier by the Director of Fire and Emergency Services due to non-fulfilment of basic appointment formalities. The remaining 103 candidates have now been terminated with immediate effect, and will cease to be borne on the rolls of the department. “Their continuation amounts to a perpetuation of illegality, undermining public trust and the sanctity of recruitment processes,” the order stated.
A Strong Message On Governance, Accountability: The decision is being viewed as a landmark step in administrative accountability in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly at a time when the UT administration has repeatedly stressed zero tolerance towards corruption. The action also reinforces the government’s commitment to restoring faith in public institutions and ensuring that merit-based recruitment remains the cornerstone of government employment.
Officials said the decision was not taken lightly, given the personal consequences for those involved, but stressed that allowing fraudulently appointed individuals to continue in public service would have been far more damaging to public trust.
Aspirants Welcome The Decision : Days after the termination order, a group of aspirants who had raised objections to the 2020 recruitment process welcomed the government’s decision, calling it a long-awaited step towards justice. Addressing reporters in Srinagar, the aspirants said the action fulfilled assurances given to them earlier by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha during a meeting at Lok Bhavan. They said they had been raising the issue consistently since the selection list was released in 2020 and had submitted representations highlighting irregularities in the process. According to the aspirants, the inquiry committee had clearly recorded that question paper leakage was a major flaw in the recruitment process. While acknowledging that not all evidence had yet been made public, they said the termination order demonstrated the government’s acceptance of the inquiry findings.
Years Of Protests, Legal Struggle: The aspirants recalled staging multiple protests in Srinagar and Jammu over the years, claiming that their objections were ignored when the recruitment was finalised. They said timely action could have prevented years of uncertainty and distress for hundreds of candidates. They claimed that nearly 692 aspirants were affected by the alleged irregularities, many of whom had cleared physical tests more than once and had maintained verifiable records with the department. According to them, the flawed selection process denied deserving candidates a fair chance at government employment.
Acknowledging Support: The aspirants credited advocate Abhinav Sharma for pursuing the matter legally and bringing it into the public domain. They also acknowledged the role of BJP leader Ravinder Raina, who, they said, consistently spoke in support of action against the tainted recruitment and demanded justice for genuine candidates. They also thanked the media for sustained coverage of the issue and acknowledged the cooperation extended by Kothibagh Police during their protests, which they said were peaceful and aimed solely at seeking transparency and fairness.
What Lies Ahead: While the termination of the 103 employees marks a decisive step, questions remain about the future course of action. Aspirants have expressed hope that the government will now initiate fresh, transparent recruitment to fill the vacant posts and ensure that eligible candidates are given a fair opportunity. They also urged political leaders across party lines to support their demand for justice, emphasising that their objective was not confrontation but employment through a transparent and merit-based process. The termination of 103 illegally appointed firemen is more than an administrative decision—it is a statement of intent by the Jammu and Kashmir administration. By acting on the findings of an independent inquiry and a criminal investigation, the government has reinforced the principle that fraud cannot be legitimised by time or service.
