Punjab HC Issues Notice To Punjab Govt On Pharmacy Exam Plea

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding a plea to cancel the pharmacy officer recruitment examination. The examination, held on July 19, 2026, was for 454 Group C posts. The petition, filed by Keshav Kamboj and others, alleged that the exam was compromised by an organized cheating racket.

The petitioners sought cancellation of the written examination and quashing of all consequential steps taken or proposed based on the examination. They contended that the examination stood vitiated by an organized, hi-tech, inter-state cheating racket, citing a police press release issued on July 19 and an FIR registered the following day.

The Punjab Police had claimed to have busted a highly sophisticated, inter-state cheating racket operating during the pharmacy officer examination. Seven key conspirators and 28 candidates were held, and 27 battery-operated wireless cheating devices were recovered. Police also detected the use of pen cameras and real-time dictation during the exam. The racket charged between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 13 lakh to ensure passing marks.

The examination was conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences on behalf of the Health and Family Welfare Department. Nearly 7,000 candidates appeared for the examination across 25 examination centres in Faridkot, Kotkapura, and Ferozepur.

The opposition has targeted the AAP government over the alleged cheating racket, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Health Minister. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on August 10.

The petitioners alleged that the irregularities violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The Punjab Assistant Advocate General TPS Walia appeared on behalf of the state and sought time to file a written statement.

The court's interim order on July 28 directed that the further selection process for the recruitment would remain subject to the outcome of the petition. This development has significant implications for the recruitment process and the candidates who appeared for the examination.

The case highlights the need for ensuring the integrity of recruitment examinations and the measures that need to be taken to prevent cheating. The court's decision will be closely watched, and the outcome will have a significant impact on the candidates and the recruitment process.

In conclusion, the Punjab and Haryana High Court's notice to the Punjab government is a significant development in the case. The court's decision will have far-reaching implications for the recruitment process and the candidates who appeared for the examination. The case serves as a reminder of the need for ensuring the integrity of recruitment examinations and the measures that need to be taken to prevent cheating.

The opposition's demand for the resignation of the Education Minister and Health Minister has added a political dimension to the case. The AAP government's response to the allegations and the court's decision will be closely watched.

The case is a reminder of the importance of ensuring the integrity of recruitment examinations and the need for measures to prevent cheating. The court's decision will have significant implications for the recruitment process and the candidates who appeared for the examination.

The Punjab government's response to the allegations and the court's notice will be closely watched. The case is a significant development in the recruitment process, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications.

The court's decision to post the matter for further hearing on August 10 has given the Punjab government time to respond to the allegations. The government's response and the court's decision will be closely watched, and the outcome will have significant implications for the recruitment process and the candidates who appeared for the examination.

In the end, the case serves as a reminder of the need for ensuring the integrity of recruitment examinations and the measures that need to be taken to prevent cheating. The court's decision will have far-reaching implications for the recruitment process and the candidates who appeared for the examination.