Government job is a dream for many, thugs are misusing this weakness: Punjab and Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently refused to grant anticipatory bail to a man, who impersonated a retired army officer and conned a person of ₹3 lakh on the pretext of getting his son a government job [Ajit Singh vs State of Punjab]..Single-judge Justice Anoop Chitkara noted that getting government jobs is a dream for many as it is considered to be sign of success but unscrupulous elements have started exploiting such aspirants. "Getting government jobs is not just a dream but also a sign of being a winner and success, making the end more important than the means. Thugs have started exploiting this weakness and getting easy prey," the judge observed in the order passed on February 2..The bench was hearing an anticipatory bail application filed by one Ajit Singh booked for cheating (Section 420) and criminal conspiracy (Section 120B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The bench noted that the complainant's son was promised a permanent job in the Indian army by the accused. The complainant was asked to pay ₹5 lakh. However, he paid ₹3 lakh and it was agreed that the rest of the amount would be paid after getting the job. Since nothing materialised, a complaint was filed against the accused..The bench said that the complainant was also partly responsible since he tried to bypass the normal recruitment process. "The complainant bypassed the normal recruitment process and, through cheating and illegal means, wanted a job for his son for money. It appears to be a kettle calling the pot black," the judge observed. .In his short order, the judge also drew a comparison between private and government jobs. "The ground reality is that there is a massive difference in the salaries of equivalent jobs at the lower rung, in the government sector and private sector, and also with the highest level of job security, irrespective of performance in the government sector and productivity linked job that too at the will of the employer in the private sector," the Court said. .Therefore, the bench considered the social backdrop and the gravity of the offenxe, and held that the accused failed to make out a strong case for anticipatory bail and said that his custodial interrogation would be necessary to unearth the modus operandi. .Advocate BS Bhalla appeared for the Applicant. Additional Advocate General Aditya Kapoor represented the State. .[Read Order]