NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has asked the centre and the Army chief for their response after a petition alleged that only three castes - Jats, Rajputs and Jat Sikhs - were considered for recruitment for the post of the President's bodyguard.
The Defence Ministry, Army chief, Commandant of the President's Bodyguard and Army Recruitment Director have been asked to file their reply within four weeks.
The court was hearing a petition by a resident of Haryana, Gaurav Yadav, who wants the recruitment of the President's bodyguard, held on September 4, 2017, to be set aside.
Gaurav Yadav said he belonged to Ahir/Yadav caste and fulfilled all the eligibility criteria of recruitment, except caste.
"Preferential treatment" provided to the three castes has deprived other citizens, who were also eligible, of the opportunity of recruitment, his petition said.
"The recruitment criteria so formulated and followed contains an arbitrary classification which is based on caste and henceforth, it being in the nature of class legislation, stands in complete violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Also, the recruitment process stands in violation of Article 15(1) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, caste, sex, colour and place of birth," his petition said.