30-03-2026 Item No.21 Subrata Bhattacharyya AR(C) IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction Appellate Side WPA No.114 of 2026 Jayasree Sarkar -vs- Union of India & Ors. With CAN No.1 of 2026 Mr. Gunjan Kumar Singh Mr. Vijay Varma Ms. Anita Das Ms. Rushali Buiragi …for the petitioner Mr. S.N. Dutta Mr. Anindya Sundar Das …for the respondents 1. The petitioner participated for recruitment as Constable (General Duty) in CAPF, SSF, rifleman GD in AR and Sepoy in NCB. She has been declared unfit by the Detailed Medical Examination Board on the ground of unfitness of having 1) multiple scar marks in the left forearm (self-injury), 2) scar mark on chin and 3) black spots over lower abdomen & B/L thigh (birth mark). 2. The Review Medical Examination Board declared the petitioner unfit on account of multiple parallel scars of old cut injury over left forearm. 3. According to the petitioner, the cut marks are because of an accident that she met. The black spots are birth marks for which she ought not to be declared unfit. The petitioner, however, admits that the multiple scar marks are self-inflicted. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner asserts that the petitioner is mentally fit and there is not an iota 2 of mental instability in her. 5. Learned counsel for the respondents relies on the report filed by the DIG (PSO) for IG, FTR HQ BSF South Bengal dated March 3, 2026 wherefrom it appears that the petitioner has been rejected on the ground of mental or nervous instability as per the revised uniform guidelines for conducting medical examination in CAPF. 6. The report of the Clinical Psychology Centre of University of Calcutta specifically mentions that the candidate is of a defensive nature with difficulty in coping with situational stress. Its finding suggests the presence of emotional disturbances as well as difficulty in social interactions. The candidate may find it difficult to adapt or function in situations relying heavily on emotional and social skills. 7. The respondents opined that the self-inflicting harm behavior shows emotional and mental instability which may aggravate in the difficult and hostile terrain where CAPFs personnel are deployed. It requires high level of mental and physical standard to coping with the stressful strict regimental life away from family under a strict disciplinary code around 300 days in a year. 8. The CAPFs personnel are required to function under the shadow of the gun and deployed at high altitudes, snow bound areas, deserts and other terrains. The cut marks implied unsuccessful suicide attempt a potentially lethal action. A risk factor for future attempts to suicide always remains. The entire report of the Professor of the Department of Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta dated December 8, 2025 3 has also been placed before this Court. 9. Upon hearing the parties and on perusal of the materials placed before this Court, the Court is minded to accept the stand taken by the respondents. There is high possibility that the petitioner may not be able to adapt to the stressful situation under which she may be required to work. The mental condition of the petitioner may not be suited for engagement in CAPF. 10. Mental or nervous instability is a ground for rejection of candidature. 11. The petitioner was participating for recruitment in the combatised force. Any candidate who, according to the authority, is not mentally fit and stable cannot be engaged in a combatised Force. 12. Till the authority is satisfied that a candidate is cent percent fit both physically and mentally, such person cannot be permitted to be engaged in the combatised force. 13. Hence the Court is not inclined to entertain the writ petition. The writ petition fails and is hereby dismissed. 14. Consequently, CAN No.1 of 2026 is disposed of. 15. All parties are to act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court. 16. Certified copy of this order, if applied for, shall be made available to the parties. [Amrita Sinha, J] 4