In a sweeping judgment that will resonate across Rajasthan’s recruitment landscape, the Rajasthan High Court has struck down the 2021 Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment process, declaring it irredeemably tainted by paper leaks and organized cheating.

Justice Sameer Jain delivered the verdict nearly two weeks after reserving the order on August 14, ending years of uncertainty for thousands of candidates who had challenged the exam’s credibility.

The petitions, first filed on August 13, 2024, argued that the recruitment had been compromised beyond repair. Despite resistance from the state government and selected candidates, the court held that evidence of mass irregularities—including exam papers circulating on WhatsApp and links to cheating rackets such as the “Bluetooth gang”—made it impossible to uphold the process.

“This is a historic decision that will be remembered for decades. The court has made it clear that fairness cannot be sacrificed,” said petitioner Harendar Neel, who fought the case from the start.

Advocate O.P. Solanki echoed the sentiment, calling the ruling “a victory for justice and for thousands of honest aspirants who had waited four long years.”

The political reverberations were immediate. Rajasthan minister Kirodi Lal Meena blamed the previous Congress government for failing to act despite having evidence of the leak. “This judgment reflects the long struggle of unemployed youth and is a testament to their resilience,” he said.

For candidates like Firoz from Chittorgarh, who took the exam with integrity, the ruling was deeply personal. “We fought for years for justice. Today, our voice has finally been heard,” he said.

The cancellation, while ending one chapter of frustration, has opened a larger debate on accountability and transparency in public recruitment—a reminder that the fight for clean examinations in Rajasthan is far from over.