UNION TERRITORY OF J&K Vs. ASIF AHMAD SHEIKH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This intra-court appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 10.09.2020 passed by the Writ Court in WP(C) No.944/2020 filed by respondent Nos.1 to 4 (hereinafter referred to as the writ petitioners) against respondent Nos. 5 to 7. The appeal has been filed by the Union Territory of J&K though it was not a party to the writ petition. In terms of the order dated 27.01.2021 passed by this Court, the appellant has been permitted to file the appeal against the impugned judgment.

(2.) The facts leading to filing of this appeal are that the writ petitioners filed a petition against respondent Nos.5 to 7 seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing them to conclude the selection process initiated pursuant to advertisement notice No.02 of 2019 dated 07.03.2019 and notice dated 26.03.2019 for selection and appointment of Assistant Professor/Junior Scientist in the discipline/stream of Veterinary Physiology, Live Stock Production Management, Veterinary Public Health and Veterinary Biochemistry with a further direction to accord consideration to the case of the writ petitioners by subjecting them to interview/test after assessing their comparative merit and to offer the writ petitioners appointment in case they make the grade.

(3.) The case of the writ petitioners before the Writ Court was that pursuant to advertisement notice No.02 of 2019 dated 7 th of March, 2019, they offered their candidature for the posts of Assistant Professor/Junior Scientist in the specialty/discipline of Veterinary Science. The aforesaid advertisement notice was modified in terms of notice dated 26th of March, 2019. The writ petitioners alleged that despite lapse of about nine months since the date of issuance of the advertisement notices, the selection process has not progressed beyond the screening stage. According to the writ petitioners, the delay in conclusion of selection process has prejudiced their rights and interests.