JAIPUR/JODHPUR, April 6 -- While upholding the cancellation of the Rajasthan Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Examination-2021, the division bench of the Rajasthan high court made several sharp observations about the scale of irregularities, the functioning of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), and the broader impact of such controversies on public trust and governance. The verdict, delivered by acting chief justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and justice Sangeeta Sharma on Saturday, brings closure to a prolonged legal battle involving the state, RPSC, and hundreds of selected candidates who had challenged the cancellation. The bench said: "The investigation further discloses that leaked papers were circulated to countless candidates through multiple intermediaries, several beneficiaries are yet to be identified, and investigation under Section 173(8) CrPC remains pending against 89 accused persons, including trainee Sub-Inspectors." In this context, the court rejected the argument that only those directly identified as beneficiaries should be punished while allowing the rest of the recruitment process to stand. "In such circumstances, the Court is unable to accept the contention that a meaningful segregation between tainted and untainted candidates is either feasible or reliable." The bench further noted that the Special Operations Group (SOG) itself had initially recommended cancellation of the entire exam, and the passage of time had only reinforced the conclusion that the process had been deeply compromised. "The fact that the SOG initially recommended cancellation of the entire examination on 13.08.2024 on the ground that segregation was impossible. reinforces the conclusion that the contamination was deep-rooted and incapable of being surgically isolated." The court also made strong remarks about the role and accountability of members of the RPSC, saying that their conduct had seriously damaged public faith in the institution. "The very faith of the general public in the Public Service Commission has been put to question on account of the conduct of the Members. The Members are jointly and severally liable for such conduct," the bench said. "The State Government and the Governor should take steps for getting such Members relieved from their duties. This would be a little step for maintaining the sanctity of the Public Service Commission." The bench also expressed concern over the manner in which members of public service commissions are appointed, saying the process currently lacks clear safeguards regarding integrity and merit. "We notice that the Members of the Public Service Commission are being selected at the whims and fancies of the Government in power without examining their integrity."...