Cuttack: In a landmark judgement, the Orissa High Court recently directed reinstatement of a Odisha Police constable, who reportedly was terminated from service 25 years ago for 1 cm shortage in height.
The court has also directed the concerned authorities to condone the height of 1 cm and allow the complainant, Dolamani Bishi to resume training for left out period and continue in service as before.
As per reports, Dolamani, after passing the HSC Examination (Matriculation) in the year 1989, had registered his name in employment exchange in the year 1991.
Later, Dolamani joined as a ‘Writer Constable’ on August 16,1993 after being selected by the selection committee consisting of three empowered members with SP Bolangir as Chairman and Principal of Police Training School, Nayagarh and DSP, Bolangir as the two members.
Dolamani’s height was recorded as 168 cm, chest 81/90 and weight 65 kg.
On March 14, 1994, he was deputed for nine months of training at Police Training School at Hatibari in Sundergarh. While the petitioner was continuing training, on September 19, 1994, he was suddenly sent back by the Principal Training School Hatibadi due to alleged shortage of height by 1 cm.
Later, Dolamani moved the High Court after Odisha Administrative Tribunal (OAT) rejected his petition challenging termination of his service.
A division bench of Chief Justice, Mohammad Rafiq and Justice BR Sarangi directed the Odisha Government “to reinstate the petitioner in service by condoning the height of one cm and allowing him to resume training for left-out period and continue in service as before”.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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