Sajid Khan vs L Rahmathullah 2025 INSC 251 - Equivalence - Recruitment Matters

Public Appointments - Equivalence -In circumstances where the appointing authority has not objected to the qualifications of the candidates and there is no apparent or glaring difference in the qualifications, courts have no reason to interfere and set-aside the appointments made after due consideration. It is the appointing authority which has to take the decision on whether the candidate possesses what is required by the post in cases of disputed equivalence- The burden to show that the recruiting authority accepted the qualifications of the appellants illegally or arbitrarily was on the applicants who had approached the CAT by filing OAs- “The terms and conditions of service are [intended to be] construed reasonably, and too technical a view can defeat the essential spirit and intent embodied in them.” (Para 18- 23) [Context: SC set aside CAT Order that set aside selection]