SC gives relief to women who missed Bihar police test due to pregnancy

Supreme Court (SC) has granted relief to women candidates who failed to appear for physical examination for selection process for Bihar Police in 2018 due to pregnancy. Around 73 women had missed Physical Efficiency Test (PET) in 2018 on account of being pregnant, and apart from granting relief, SC also directed Bihar Police Subordinate Service Commission to conduct a fresh test for such applicants. 

SC instructs Commission to conduct PET

This comes after Khusbu Sharma filed an appeal challenging judgment of a division bench of Patna High Court, which had earlier overturned order of a single judge of High Court which had granted relief to her and had instructed commission to conduct an examination after two months. A bench comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Krishna Murari instructed commission to conduct a physical test and also adjust m against vacancies of Bihar Police tified this year. bench stated, "t only Khusbu Sharma but all such candidates who seek deferment on account of pregnancy should be allowed to appear for PET. re should be delay anymore in PET as sufficient time has elapsed." apex court also stated that "only those candidates who qualify PET and are found in merit as well alone will be eligible for an appointment which is also subject to verification of factum of pregnancy." 

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Before taking matter to court, Khusbu Sharma had earlier approached commission to seek postponement of date of physical examination for selection to Bihar Police, reason being her delivery which was likely to take place in same month as examination. Since Commission did t respond to her representations, she approached court. Patna High Court n said that re were 14 or candidates who had approached it and ir cases were still pending. Apex Court also stressed on significance of lady members in police force, considering crime rate against women. 

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