(1.) This writ petition has been filed to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ or Order or direction in the nature of Writ directing the first respondent to accept the application of the petitioner dated 18.12.2018 in pursuance of advertisement No.178/2018/A1, dated 06.12.2018 for the Post of Office Assistant and to consider the candidature of the petitioner on the basis of qualification, eligibility and performance in the selection proceedings for appointment to the post of Office Assistant.
(2.) The first respondent made an advertisement vide Advertisement No.178/2018/A1 dated 06.12.2018 calling for the applications for the post of Computer Operator, Senior Bailiff, Driver, Xerox Machine Operator, Office Assistant, Night Watchman, Masalchi, Masalchi-cum-Night Watchman, Gardener, Sanitary Worker and Sweeper. In the said advertisement, the first respondent has stated that the applications for the aforesaid posts shall be sent by post to the Principal District Judge, Principal District Court, Madurai and the said applications shall be reached to the Principal District Judge, Madurai on or before 21.12.2018. The petitioner herein has applied for the post of Office Assistant and sent the application by speed post on 18.12.2018. The postman attempted to deliver the said speed post to the first respondent on 22.12.2018. The first respondent refused to receive the same and hence, it was returned on 24.12.2018. Feeling aggrieved, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition to direct the first respondent to accept the application of the petitioner dated 18.12.2018.
(3.) The first respondent has not filed any counter. The respondents 2 and 3 have filed counter affidavit. According to the respondents 2 and 3, the petitioner has booked a speed post article in consignment Number ET181495837IN at Vepery Post Office on 18.12.2018 and the same was despatched on the same day in the bag with Number EBT 0011182291 to National Sorting Hub, Chennai - 600016. It is their further case that due to heavy accumulation of bags and huge receipt of articles, the bag containing the said Speed Post Art. was opened on 20.12.2018 and thereafter the said Speed Post Art. was included in Speed bag with number EBT0011194864 for National Sorting Hub, Madurai on 21.12.2018 and the bag was despatched on the same day. It is their further case that the said Speed Post Art. was received at National Sorting Hub, Madurai on 21.12.2018 and received at Gandhi Nagar MA S.O on 22.12.2018 and sent out for delivery on the same day. It is their further case that the said article was attempted for delivery on 22.12.2018, but the addressee refused to receive the same and hence, it was returned to the petitioner and delivered to him on 24.12.2018 and hence, they prayed to dismiss the writ petition.