Chandigarh, January 13: The selection process of women constables in the Union Territory of Chandigarh was challenged today in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) by Swaranjit Kaur and six others.

The Division Bench of CAT, comprising Judge Jasbir Singh and Judge L.M. Mehta, has issued a notice to the Chandigarh Administration as well as the Senior Superintendent of Police. The court has called for details of marks obtained by all the seven petitioners.

The counsel appearing for Swaranjit Kaur and other six women candidates submitted before the Bench that only four women candidates were called for interview against 11 vacancies of constables advertised on June 20, 2004, whereas at least 3.5 times candidates of the advertised vacancies should have been called by the authorities. Moreover, no minimum marks in the written test were prescribed in the advertisement to be obtained by the candidates, who fulfill the basic eligibility of clearing their physical and medical test in addition to the required academic qualifications. He submitted that in such circumstances, where no minimum marks are prescribed, the Supreme Court has held that condition of acquiring minimum marks in shortlisting the candidates is improper and required number of candidates from top of the merit list shall be considered for the interview.