India court halts police hiring

By Ram Dutt Tripathi
BBC News, Lucknow

Controversy often marks recruitment of police in India Pic: Kumar Prithvi

A court in India has stopped the government of Uttar Pradesh state from filling vacancies caused by the dismissal of thousands of police.

More than 10,000 police officers have been sacked during the past week over alleged irregularities in their recruitment process.

Eighteen officials involved in the hiring process have been suspended.

All the police were recruited during the administration of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who lost power this year.

The newly-elected chief minister, Ms Mayawati, set up an inquiry into alleged irregularities, nepotism and bribery in the selection process.

Justice Rakesh Tiwari of the Allahabad High Court has asked the state government to explain on what grounds the police were dismissed.

Nearly 1,000 officers have challenged their dismissals in the court, saying that the move was politically motivated and arbitrary.

Authorities say those involved in illegal recruitment would also face criminal charges for corruption and forging documents.

'Fair recruitment'

In all, 22,000 police constables were recruited during Mr Yadav's term. He was defeated in elections in May 2007.

Officials say an investigation into the selection of an additional 12,000 police is likely to be completed by the end of this month. It is expected to have similar results.

The government says it will recruit new police officers within six months and the previous applicants will be allowed to appear in the new selection process.

Former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has maintained that the recruitment process is fair.