HAWA SINGH KHATRI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BOTH the writ petitions are inter -linked and are based on common facts. Hence, they are being disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) IT so happened that in the year 1994, ten petitioners led by Hawa Singh Khatri filed Writ Petition (C) No. 1305 of 1994 alleging that though they were selected for appointment to the posts of Fire Operators, they were not so appointed. Accordingly, they prayed for a writ of mandamus seeking a direction to the respondents to appoint them as Fire Operators.

(3.) THE facts on which they laid their claim were that they were sponsored through employment exchange for selection to the posts of Fire Operators and were asked to report to Personnel Department of Indira Gandhi International Airport on July 30, 1991 for physical standard verification, driving test, stamina test and interview. As directed, they took all the aforementioned tests. They were found fit but before their actual appointments as Fire Operators could take place, they were required to undergo basic training for Operators in IAAI. The letters to this effect were issued on November 22, 1991. One such letter addressed to Devender Kumar has been placed on record and it is not in dispute that similar letters were issued to other petitioners as well. Relevant part of said letter which has a bearing on the disposal of this writ petition reads as under: