Bengaluru: Coming to the rescue of a woman candidate, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, Karnataka high court has directed the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) to conduct the examination for the petitioner anywhere in Kalaburagi as per her choice and convenience. Justice Chillakur Sumalatha gave this direction recently while disposing of the petition filed by one Mahalaxmi.
The petitioner approached the court seeking a direction to KPSC to allow her to appear for the main examination of Group-A posts, which are scheduled to be held from April 15 to April 19, 2025, at Kalaburagi giver her medical condition.
The exams are scheduled to be held in Bengaluru and Dharwad, the designated centres. The petitioner submitted that she is a resident of Kalaburagi and that doctors have advised her not to travel. The court was told that the petitioner’s health would be at risk if she travelled to write exam.
On the other hand, KPSC argued that examinations will be conducted with strict security and under CCTV camera surveillance.
“All the arrangements for conducting the examination are in the cities of Bengaluru and Dharwad. In case the petitioner intends to write the examination, she has to do so at the the allotted centre. For the convenience of a single candidate, KPSC cannot take up the hectic exercise of conducting the examination in Kalaburagi,” the commission claimed.
After reviewing the materials, Justice Chillakur Sumalatha noted the right to livelihood is guaranteed under the constitution. Upon becoming pregnant, except for begetting the child, the woman will have no other option. Of course, termination of pregnancy is permitted under exceptional circumstances, the judge further added.
“Our country is spending crores of rupees on conducting elections and by-elections, if required. Due to a lack of planning and vision, public money is frequently wasted. But here is a case where the state submits before this court that it cannot spend money to conduct an examination for a deserving candidate. The makers of the constitution, considering the fact that women require special treatment, have envisaged under Part III of the constitution certain privileges exclusively for women,” the judge further pointed out.
Observing that the petitioner is not in a position to travel either to Dharwad or Bengaluru, the judge directed KPSC to conduct the examination for the petitioner in Kalaburagi. The authorities were also directed to intimate the petitioner about the centre of exam in Kalaburagi by April 9.
