The High Court today directed the government to appoint 27 candidates, who passed the 34th and 35th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams, but were not given appointments.

The government has been asked to appoint the candidates at their respective posts within 60 days of receiving the High Court judgement.

The court also declared the government decision to drop them from recruitment “illegal”.

The HC bench of Justice MD Ashraful Kamal and Justice Razik-al-Jalil gave the verdict after hearing three separate writ petitions filed by the deprived candidates, challenging the legality of the government decision.

Advocate Siddique Ullah Miah, a lawyer for 17 candidates told The Daily Star that his clients passed the BCS examination and Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) had recommended the government for their appointment.

But the authorities concerned did not give them an appointment nor an explanation as to why they were not recruited, he said.

The government will have to give the appointments and provide the candidates with the salaries and benefits from the date of PSC’s recommendation, the lawyer added.

Advocate Md Salahuddin Dolon and Advocate Abdus Sattar Palowan appeared for the ten other candidates and Deputy Attorney General Waish al Haruni represented the state.