M. Katju, J. - (1.) This writ petition has been filed against the decision of the Life Insurance Corporation cancelling the selection for the post of Apprentice Development Officer as communicated by the order dated 26.7.1999 Annexure-6 to the writ petition.
(2.) The present writ relates to the Gorakhpur Division of the Life Insurance Corporation. We have already in Writ Petition No. 31903 of 1999. Pramod Kumar Rai v. Life Insurance Corporation of India., dismissed a similar writ petition relating to Varanasi Division.
(3.) Sri Ashok Khare, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the present petition is distinguishable from Writ Petition No. 31903 of 1999 inasmuch as the selection for Gorakhpur has been cancelled only on the ground that one Brijesh Singh who was a candidate in the selection and who is the son of Sri S. S. Singh. Senior Branch Manager of L.I.C. entered into the flat of Sr. J. N. Kanaujia, a member of the interview committee and threatened him with dire consequences at gun point and demanded changes to be made in the tabulation sheet and ranking list. This incident is mentioned in the report sent to Regional Manager dated 7.6.1999 which is Annexure-8 to the counter-affidavit. It is also alleged in the report dated 29.6.1999 sent by the Assistant Secretary (Marketing) which is Annexure-9 to the counter-affidavit. Sri Khare submitted that the decision to cancel the selection was arbitrary, as there can be no justification for cancelling the selection process on account of some criminal activity of one of the candidates.;