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Issues Involved:
1. Eligibility of candidates for the post of Junior Engineer based on the date of obtaining qualifications. 2. Validity of the selection process and seniority determination. 3. Application of Rule 37 of the Public Service Commission Business Rules by analogy. 4. Allegations of mala fide actions by the appointing authority. Issue-wise Detailed Analysis: 1. Eligibility of Candidates for the Post of Junior Engineer Based on the Date of Obtaining Qualifications: The primary question was whether candidates who were fully qualified at the time of the interview but whose results had not been declared by the application submission date were entitled to be considered for the post of Junior Engineer. The appellants had submitted their applications by the last date (15.7.1982) but received their B.E. (Civil) results on 21.8.1982, just before the interviews commenced on 24.8.1982. The respondents argued that the appellants were not qualified at the time of application submission and thus should not have been considered. However, the appellants contended that they were fully qualified by the interview dates and were rightly selected based on their merits. The Court found that the appellants were indeed qualified by the interview dates and that the intent of the appointing authority was to consider candidates who had obtained necessary qualifications by the interview dates. 2. Validity of the Selection Process and Seniority Determination: The Division Bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court reversed the Single Judge's decision, assuming mala fide actions by the appointing authority and holding that the appellants were wrongly selected. However, the Supreme Court found no evidence of mala fide actions. The Court emphasized that the appellants were fully qualified by the interview dates and that the selection process aimed to be broad-based to attract the best talents. The appellants were selected based on their higher marks in the interview, and thus, their seniority over the respondents was justified. 3. Application of Rule 37 of the Public Service Commission Business Rules by Analogy: Rule 37 allows candidates who have appeared for an examination but whose results are not declared by the application date to be provisionally considered for interviews, provided they pass the examination before the interview. Although this rule specifically applies to Public Service Commission selections, the Court found its principle applicable by analogy to the present case. The appellants, who had passed their examinations before the interview dates, were rightly considered for selection. The Court noted that this approach ensured that the best talents were not rejected due to administrative delays in result declarations. 4. Allegations of Mala Fide Actions by the Appointing Authority: The Division Bench assumed mala fide actions by the appointing authority in selecting the appellants. However, the Supreme Court, upon reviewing the relevant files, found no evidence supporting such allegations. The Court concluded that the appellants were rightly appointed based on their merits and qualifications at the time of the interview, and the technical view adopted by the Division Bench was incorrect. Separate Judgment by R.M. Sahai, J.: While agreeing with the decision to allow the appeals, R.M. Sahai, J., emphasized that the relief granted to the appellants was based on equitable considerations rather than strict legal principles. He highlighted that the notification required candidates to possess the requisite qualifications by the application submission date and to provide authenticated certificates. The appellants, who were not qualified by the application date, gained an unfair advantage due to the appointing authority's decision to allow them to appear for interviews based on their qualifications obtained before the interviews. Despite this, Sahai, J., agreed to allow the appeals due to the significant passage of time and the earlier rejection of similar claims by the High Court. Conclusion: The Supreme Court set aside the Division Bench's judgment and restored the Single Judge's decision, upholding the appellants' selection and seniority. The appeals were allowed, and no order as to costs was made.
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