The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered that appointments of 454 pharmacists — advertised by state-run Baba Farid University of Health Sciences — will remain stayed until 17 September 2025, the next scheduled date of hearing in a petition challenging the recruitment process.

What the Court Ordered

Justice Sandeep Moudgil passed the stay order while acting on a petition filed by Keshav Kamboj and others, who have sought cancellation of a written examination conducted for the posts. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners noted that appointments had already been stalled owing to the pendency of the writ petition.

The petition specifically seeks the quashing of the written examination held on 19 July for recruitment of pharmacists (Group C) under the Punjab Department of Health and Family Welfare, linked to an advertisement issued on 11 June. The petitioners have also prayed for the annulment of all consequential steps — including evaluation of answer sheets and preparation or declaration of results.

The Cheating Racket Allegation

At the heart of the petition is the allegation that the examination was vitiated in its entirety by an organised, hi-tech, inter-state cheating racket. Petitioners cited a press release dated 19 July and an FIR dated 20 July as evidence, arguing the conduct of the exam amounted to a violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality before law and equal opportunity in public employment.

This is not an isolated allegation — the case comes amid a broader national debate over examination integrity, with paper leaks and cheating syndicates disrupting competitive recruitments across multiple states.

What the Government Said

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains told the state Assembly on 3 August that a Haryana-based cheating syndicate used modified mobile phones, hidden wireless earpieces, and other advanced gadgets to facilitate cheating during the Baba Farid University pharmacy examination. He characterised it as a technology-driven cheating operation — not a paper leak — that was busted by the Punjab Police.

Bains alleged that the Haryana government had 'looked away' for years while the syndicate, according to him, destroyed the future of thousands of students. His remarks came during a legislative discussion on a censure motion over repeated paper leaks across the country and alleged atrocities against protesting students.

What Happens Next

The matter is next listed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 17 September 2025. Until then, no appointments can proceed. The outcome of the case will determine whether the examination is scrapped and a fresh recruitment drive ordered — a process that could significantly delay the filling of 454 pharmacist vacancies in Punjab's public health infrastructure.