RENUKAMBIKE R Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The batch of these writ petitions involve appointment of Group 'A' and Group 'B' Probationary Officers under the Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997.

(2.) Writ Petitions No.13617-13627 & 14529/2017 are filed in public interest and Writ Petition No.11342/2017 is filed in private interest with a prayer inter alia to quash the common order dated 19.10.2016 passed by the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, Bangalore ('Administrative Tribunal' for short), in Applications No.6268/2014 to 6395/2014 c/w 6432/2014 to 6444/2014, 6446/2014 to 6459/2014, 6597/2014 & 6598/2014, 7464/2014, 7941/2014 to 7946/2014, 7950/2014 to 7966/2014, 7967/2014, 7968/2014, 7969/2014, 9112/2014 to 9126/2014, 9592/2014 to 9610/2014 and 8298/2015, whereby the Administrative Tribunal has directed the State Government to issue appointment orders to the applicants therein.

(3.) The genesis of these cases dates back to issuance of notifications by the State Government on 29.2011, 25.4.2011, 4.10.2011 and 19.10.2011 to hold examination for the posts of Group-A and Group-B Officers as per the Karnataka Recruitment of Gazetted Probationers (Appointment by Competitive Examinations) Rules, 1997 ['1997 Rules' for short]. Pursuant thereto, the Karnataka Public Service Commission ('KPSC' for short) by notification dated 11.2011 invited applications for 352 posts. Subsequently, the number of posts were modified to 362 by the State Government vide communications dated 9.2.2012. Accordingly, amended notification was issued by the KPSC. Preliminary written examinations were conducted on 22.4.2012 and written (main) examinations were conducted between 15.12.2012 and 6.1.201 The personality tests were conducted between 1.4.2013 and 27.5.201