Tarun Chatterjee, J. - (1.) Pursuant to an advertisement issued at the instance of the Banking Services Recruitment Board, Chennai ( in short "the "Board") in the Employment Newspaper dated 9-15th October, 1999 inviting applications for the post of Probationary Officers in Indian Overseas Banks, the Writ Petitioner, who is a visually handicapped lady, applied for the said post. The requisite qualifications for eligibility were:(a) A degree from a recognized University or any qualification recognized as equivalent by Government of India. (b) Not below 21 years and above 30 years.
(2.) It is not in dispute that the writ petitioner fulfilled both the requirements. The writ petitioner had sent her application along with a demand draft. While filling up the said application form, the writ petitioner mentioned that she was a blind candidate so that the Board could make adequate arrangement of a scribe for her during the entrance test as is normally done. Unfortunately, the application of the writ petitioner for writing the examination, as stated above, was returned with the following order: "As we do not recruit blind candidates for the post of Probationary Officers, your application is rejected."
(3.) As against this order and also for other reliefs, the writ petitioner has filed this writ application under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. After the Writ Petition was moved by the writ petitioner, on her prayer, the writ petitioner was allowed to amend the writ application in which she claimed additional reliefs which are as follows: (a) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents to hold the entrance examination for the benefit of the petitioner under the advertisement dated 9-15th October, 1999 issued in Employment Newspaper. (b) Issue a writ of declaration or any other appropriate writ, order or direction declaring that the denial of opportunity to contest under general category to the visually disabled person to the post of Probationary Officer is violative of fundamental rights enshrined under Art.14,16,19 and 21 of the Constitution. (c) Issue a writ of mandamus or an appropriate order or direction calling upon the respondents to show the steps taken by them under sections 32, 33,38,42 and 47 of "The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities etc.) Act 1995" (hereinafter in short "The Act of 1995). ;