(1.) Heard Smt. G. Pushpa, Advocate for the the appellants in WA No.19 of 2017 and for the petitioners in WP(C) No.606 of 2017; Shri R.K. Deepak, Advocate for the appellants in WA No.29 of 2017 and for the petitioners in WP(C) No.725 of 2017; Shri Vijay Hansaria, Senior Advoccate, Shri A. Bimol Singh, Senior Advocate, Shri S. Biswajit Meitei, Advocate, Shri Premjit, Advocate, Shri Ng. Kumar, Advocate, Shri T. Momo Singh, Advocate, Shri B.R. Sharma, Advocate and Shri Kh. Tarunkumar Singh, Advocate for the private respondents; Shri N. Ibotombi Singh, Senior Advoacate for the MPSC in all the cases; Shri Shyam Sharma, Government Advocate for the State respondents and Shri Y. Nirmolchand, Senior Advocate for the petitioner in WP(C) No.313 of 2018.
(2.) The above writ appeals and writ petitions have arisen out of a similar set of facts and therefore, the same are being disposed of by this common judgment and order. The subject matter in issue relates to the validity and correctness of the unfortunate and controversial examination conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the MPSC ") for recruitment to various posts namely, MCS, MPS etc.
(3.) The MPSC issued a Notification dated 29-12-2015 inviting, through online, applications from amongst the eligible candidates for the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as "the Examination, 2015 ") for filling up 82 posts of different categories of service to be conducted under the provisions of the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination Rules, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as "the Competitive Examination Rules, 2010 ") and the Preliminary Examination thereof was to be held on 28-02-2016. In response to the said Notification, many candidates submitted their applications.