On a brief but decisive hearing day at the Sikkim High Court, a writ petition filed by a young doctor challenging her exclusion from a recruitment interview quietly reached its end. With the main relief already granted earlier, the court found there was little left to argue. The matter, heard by Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, was wrapped up without fuss, though its implications were clear for the selection process ahead.
Background
The case was filed by Dr. Ruchita Bhujel, who had approached the court after issues arose around her participation in the viva voce stage of a selection process conducted by the Sikkim Public Service Commission (SPSC). Earlier, in November, the High Court had stepped in and directed the Commission to allow her to appear for the interview. Acting on that order, SPSC permitted her to face the interview panel on November 20, alongside other candidates.
By the time the matter was mentioned again in December, the interview process had already concluded. An application was then moved by SPSC seeking disposal of the writ petition, pointing out that the core grievance no longer survived.
Court’s Observations
During the hearing, senior counsel for the Commission submitted that the petitioner’s main prayer - permission to appear in the viva voce - had been fully complied with. “As all the prayers of the petitioner before this Court were to permit her to appear in the Viva-Voce… this Writ Petition has thereby become infructuous,” the court was told.
The bench noted that even counsel for Dr. Bhujel did not dispute this position. In open court, it was stated that since the petitioner had already appeared in the interview, there was no objection to closing the case. Justice Rai briefly recorded that the submissions had been considered and there was nothing further requiring adjudication.
Decision
In view of these developments, the High Court disposed of the writ petition, observing that nothing remained to be decided. The court also clarified that there was now no restraint on the Sikkim Public Service Commission from declaring the final results of the selection process. Any pending applications connected to the case were also closed, bringing the matter to a formal end.
Case Title: Dr. Ruchita Bhujel vs State of Sikkim and Others
Case No.: WP(C) No. 73 of 2025
Case Type: Writ Petition (Civil)
Decision Date: 12 December 2025
