The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to make adjustments to its recruitment policies, allowing for the inclusion of women as drivers within the forthcoming six months.
The HC was told by the government’s lawyer that giving a specific timeframe for changing the CISF’s recruitment rules wasn’t doable. The court stressed the importance of including women and promoting diversity in the CISF, urging the force to review and update its rules to allow women to drive. This move aligns with wider initiatives to ensure fairness and representation in different work areas.
After more than five years of legal proceedings, the Court has directed the CISF to amend its recruitment rules within six months, allowing the recruitment of women as drivers. This decision came in response to a public interest lawsuit filed by Kush Kalra in 2018, urging equal opportunities for women in the posts of constable or driver in the CISF. The HC has set a compliance date for 15 July, 2024.
The Union Government had previously informed the court in May that CISF had proposed changes to the rules to enable the recruitment of women in various constable roles. Kalra’s plea emphasised that denying women the right to serve in these positions amounted to institutional discrimination, violating their fundamental rights.