BIKRAMJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Few of the salient facts found necessary for determining the questions falling for consideration in this case are narrated in the succeeding paragraphs to answer as to whether the petitioners have a legally enforceable right to grant of the threefold prayers made in the petition asking for the issuance of consecutive writs of certiorari and mandamus to bring them the following reliefs:-

(2.) The petitioners were appointed as Clerks/Ahlmed on ad hoc ba-sis in the year 2012 and served the Subordinate Courts of Punjab till their services were dispensed with in the year 2019. In the year 2017, respondent No.2 issued an employment notice dated 31.8.2017 inviting applications for filling up 350 vacant posts of Clerks through Centralized Recruitment by the Society administered by this Court on its administrative side. It was made conditional in the Public Notice that the number of vacancies may be in- creased or decreased without any notice, depending upon the number of va- cancies as on the date of preparation of merit list and posting. It was further mentioned that the reservation for different categories will be regulated as per the provisions of the Punjab Subordinate Courts Establishment (Recruit- ment and General Conditions of Service) Rules, 1997 as amended from time to time.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners contends that the writ peti- tioners were working for a considerable length of time without any break in service. The appointment of the petitioners was made after following proper procedure. The petitioners were working in the department to the satisfaction of courts. There was no complaint or adverse remark against the name of the petitioners regarding their work and conduct. Learned counsel further argues that a continuous period of 7 years in service is a sufficient ground to re-ap- point them and regularize their services on the posts they were earlier work- ing.