Mon Jul 14 19:37:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

The Kerala High Court has ruled in favor of a man with a criminal record being appointed as a police driver on compassionate grounds. The man’s mother, a part-time sweeper in the police department, passed away, making him eligible for the position. The government rejected his application due to his criminal history (including assault, public intoxication, and a settled matrimonial dispute), as well as his alleged failure to disclose these incidents. The court overturned the rejection, applying a “nexus test” and finding no direct link between his past offenses and the driving position. The court emphasized the need to consider his socio-economic background and the possibility of reform, ordering his appointment within four weeks.

**News Article:**

**Kerala High Court Orders Appointment of Man with Criminal Record as Police Driver**

**KOCHI, July 15, 2025** – The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to appoint a man with a criminal record as a police driver based on compassionate grounds. The ruling overturns the government’s initial rejection of the applicant, Jijin R., whose mother, a part-time sweeper in the police department, died while in service in 2017.

The government previously cited Jijin R.’s involvement in several criminal cases, including assault, trespass, public intoxication, and a settled matrimonial dispute, as reasons for denying him the position. Authorities also pointed to his alleged failure to disclose these incidents on his verification form.

However, a Division Bench of Justices A. Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John ruled that a “nexus test” must be applied, assessing whether there is a relevant connection between the applicant’s past offenses and the nature of the job. The court found no such connection in this case.

The court also emphasized the importance of considering the applicant’s socio-economic background as a member of an economically backward community. The judges stated that minor transgressions should not permanently bar individuals from public employment and the possibility of rehabilitation. The court ordered the state government to appoint Jijin R. to the police driver position within four weeks.

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