AHMEDABAD: The desire to walk tall and proud in khakis “shrunk” after encountering a tape measure. Several candidates for police posts in Gujarat have moved the high court after they failed to achieve the maximum height during the recent recruitment drive, even though they had reportedly achieved the same standard earlier but were below the mandatory 165 centimeters (5.4 feet) standard. There was a mix-up during the physical fitness test and candidates who measured 165 centimeters or more in height during the 2024 recruitment drive were declared ineligible. Authorities recently said that aspirants have yet to achieve that record. The petitioners include Tushar Ballia and Govind Zindav of Gandhinagar, Pappu Parmar of Banaskantha and Mukesh Chauhan of Ahmedabad. All had reapplied for different police positions and had previously received high clearance. This time, they suffered a loss. As petitions piled up, Justice Nirzar Mehta added a filter: Each petitioner must deposit Rs 10,000 with the court registry, which is refundable if the claim is correct. To settle the inches versus centimeters debate, the HC ordered fresh measurements to be taken under strict medical supervision. Candidates must approach GMERS Civil Hospital in Sola on February 19 with proof of deposit. The hospital authorities concerned have been directed to arrange and facilitate this process. In this process, transparency is non-negotiable. “The entire event will be videotaped and a report will be submitted to the court on the return date of February 23,” the judge said.
