Delhi High Court Quashes NHAI Notification Prescribing CLAT-PG Score As Criteria For Lawyers Recruitment

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday allowed a PIL challenging National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) August 11 notification which made CLAT-PG scores a basis for recruiting lawyers. 

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that the recruitment criteria based on the impugned notification is quashed.

While reserving the verdict on September 18, the Court  had halted the recruitment in the meantime.

Earlier, NHAI told the High Court that it is likely to reconsider its decision making scores of CLAT-PG a basis for recruitment of lawyers.

The public interest litigation was filed by lawyer Shannu Baghel. 

The plea stated that any score of a candidate in the Common Law Admission Test- (Post Graduate) cannot be made basis of public employment.

It was contended that the CLAT-PG examination is conducted only for assessing the merit of the respective candidates holding LL.B Degree to pursue master's degree in law.

The petition stated that the impugned notification issued by NHAI is not to pursue masters degree in law but rather is to provide services of legal professional. Thus, CLAT-PG score cannot be made a basis for recruitment of lawyers by NHAI, the plea adds.

It added that there is no reasonable or rational nexus between the objects sought to be achieved and the basis of preparation of merit for such selection by NHAI.

According to the petitioner, the criteria of restricting selection exclusively on the basis of CLAT PG score was arbitrary and irrational.