(1.) These appeals are by the State of Karnataka and a few individuals who were promoted as Readers or Professors by virtue of their having passed the relevant service examinations (they are referred as Promotee-respondents, as referred by the learned single Judge).
(2.) The facts of the case, in brief, are thus :
(3.) The Rules were amended by the Karnataka Civil Services (Service & Kannada Language Examination(5th Amendment) Rules, 1977. Rule 3(2)(b) of the Rules reads :-