Federal Constitutional Court sets rules for police recruitment checks

FIR registration does not bar employment

The bench ruled that filing a police report alone cannot permanently disqualify a candidate from government jobs. Authorities must distinguish between an accusation and proof of guilt when assessing character. A criminal case remains pending only if proceedings are still active at the time of review.

Verification requires authentic evidence

Character checks must rely on independently verifiable material rather than suspicion or conjecture. If a person is acquitted, that verdict should be recognized during the assessment process. Police character certificates should not reflect adverse findings from cases where the applicant was found not guilty.

Recruitment policies need harmonization

Competent federal and provincial bodies must align their recruitment rules with these new constitutional standards. Decisions regarding hiring must follow statutory criteria while ensuring fairness and equality for all applicants. Candidates deserve a meaningful opportunity to respond before any exclusion is finalized.