J&K Govt Terminates Services of 103 Fire & Emergency Services Appointees Over Recruitment Scam
Srinagar, December 15:
In a major administrative action aimed at restoring transparency and public trust in government recruitment, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has terminated the services of 103 Fireman and Fireman Driver appointees in the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Department. The decision follows confirmed findings of large-scale fraud, manipulation of results, and illegal selection practices during the 2020 recruitment process .
The termination has been ordered through Government Order No. 608-Home of 2025, issued by the Home Department with immediate effect.
Background of the Recruitment Irregularities
The controversy traces back to the recruitment of Firemen and Fireman Drivers conducted in 2020 by the Fire & Emergency Services Department. Allegations of paper leakage, tampering of OMR answer sheets, inflated merit scores, and favoritism led the government to constitute a high-level Inquiry Committee in December 2022.
After detailed examination, the Inquiry Committee found serious procedural violations and criminal irregularities, prompting a recommendation for investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), J&K .
Findings of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
Based on the Inquiry Committee’s recommendations, the ACB registered FIR No. 01/2025 on January 2, 2025. Subsequent investigation revealed:
- Manipulation of OMR sheets
- Fabricated scanned answer images
- Tampering with digital records
- Illegal enhancement of marks
- Conspiracy involving beneficiaries and middlemen
The ACB conclusively established that 106 candidates were fraudulently awarded marks beyond what they had actually secured. Out of these, 103 candidates were already appointed, while the appointments of three candidates had been cancelled earlier for failure to complete mandatory formalities .
Appointments Declared Void Ab Initio
The government order clearly states that the appointments of the 103 individuals were illegal from inception (void ab initio), as they were not based on merit but obtained through fraudulent means.
As a result:
- The services of all 103 appointees stand terminated with immediate effect
- Their names shall be removed from the establishment rolls
- They will cease to be government employees from the date of issuance of the order
No Protection Under Article 311
The government clarified that Article 311(2) of the Constitution, which provides safeguards to civil servants against arbitrary dismissal, does not apply in this case.
Citing multiple judicial precedents, including judgments of the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, the order emphasizes that:
- Appointments obtained through fraud confer no legal right
- Principles of natural justice are not applicable when the foundation of employment itself is illegal
- Fraud vitiates all administrative actions
Annexure Lists Names of Terminated Appointees
The government order includes Annexure-A, spanning multiple pages, which lists the names, parentage, and addresses of all 103 terminated appointees. These individuals belong to various districts across Kashmir Division and Jammu Division, including Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Anantnag, Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, and Kupwara.
The annexure ensures full transparency and accountability in the action taken by the government .
Government’s Stand on Clean Recruitment
Officials have reiterated that the action reflects the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and recruitment fraud. The order stresses that allowing illegally appointed candidates to continue in service would:
- Undermine public trust
- Compromise the sanctity of recruitment processes
- Encourage unfair practices
- Injustice to genuine and meritorious candidates
The government has also directed concerned authorities, including the Director of Fire & Emergency Services and the Anti-Corruption Bureau, to take further necessary action wherever required .
Significance of the Decision
This termination order is being seen as one of the strongest actions against recruitment scams in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. It sends a clear message that:
- Fraudulent appointments will not be protected
- Investigations will be taken to their logical conclusion
- Accountability will be enforced irrespective of time elapsed
Legal experts believe the decision may also pave the way for criminal prosecution and recovery proceedings against those involved in the scam.
What Lies Ahead
With the termination order now in force, attention is likely to shift to:
- Further arrests and chargesheets in the case
- Possible fresh recruitment processes based on merit
- Strengthening of recruitment safeguards across departments
The development is expected to have a far-reaching impact on future government hiring practices in J&K.
Stay connected for more official updates on government orders, recruitment news, and administrative decisions from Jammu and Kashmir.
