(1.) Rule returnable forthwith. Mr. Utkarsh Sharma, learned Assistant Government Pleader waives service of notice of rule on behalf of respondent State.
(2.) In these petitions, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the short question is whether the petitioners could have been sidelined for being appointed to the post of unarmed police constable/Lokrakshak as per their merit with all consequential benefits.
(3.) The facts leading to the filing of the present petitions are as under (Facts of Special Civil Application No. 3231 of 2020 are taken for the sake of convenience):