Authority: High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Srinagar
Order Date: 17 July 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Mohammad Wasim Dar and others, represented by Advocate R. A. Bhat, filed writ petition (WP(C) No.180/2024) seeking a direction that the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and the J&K Board of School Education continue their engagement as Desk Job workers.
- The petitioners were originally appointed under Advertisement Notice No.F (Admn‑B) CU/13 dated 09‑02‑2013, with an interview list dated 20‑04‑2016, and issued an engagement order No.284‑B of 2023 dated 21‑08‑2023 for a 60‑day period on a consolidated salary of Rs.3,750 per month, extendable at the Board’s option.
- The appointment process stemmed from earlier litigation: a 2004 selection was quashed by the court (SWP No.1520/2004); the Board’s challenge (LPA No.61/2007) was upheld on 11‑11‑2010, leading to the 2013 re‑advertisement. Subsequent challenge of the 2013 advertisement (SWP No.367/2013) resulted in a court order for regularisation, which the Board appealed (LPA No.1/2019); the appeal was decided on 08‑06‑2023.
- The Board has, per orders dated 19‑12‑2023, extended services of 61 consolidated workers (drivers, gardeners, sweepers, etc.) based on officer recommendations, indicating continued need for those employees. No such recommendation exists for the petitioners.
- Respondents argued that the engagement order expressly allows termination without reason and confers no right to regularisation or extension; the petitioners accepted these terms.
Final Outcome
- The Court held that the petitioners have no entitlement to extension beyond the stipulated 60‑day period absent a Board decision, and that the claim of discriminatory treatment is unsupported. The writ petition is dismissed and any interim direction is vacated.
Topics: Employment Regularisation, Judicial Decision