- (1.) We have heard Shri Bhoopendra Nath Singh assisted by Shri Sunil for the Petitioners. Shri N.P. Shukla appears for the Respondents.
(2.) Brief facts, giving rise to this writ petition challenging the judgment of the Central Administrative Tribunal dated 30.8.2000 in Original Application No. 917 of 1998, (Ram Janam Verma v. Union of India and Ors.), and other connected O As, dismissing the applications with directions to conclude the Court of Enquiry and pass orders in accordance with law, are as follows. The Army Headquarters released 68 vacancies of Mazdoors; 8 vacancies of Firemen, and 2 vacancies of Messengers for appointment vide orders dated 30.8.1996, 20.9.1996 and 10.10.1996 respectively in Central Ordinance Depot, G.T. Road, Kanpur. The Commandant, COD Kanpur, sent requisition to the employment exchange on 14.1.1997 for sponsoring names of eligible candidates. The Employment Exchange Officers, Kanpur Nagar and Kanpur Dehat forwarded names of 845 candidates for the post of Mazdoors; 46 names for the post of Firemen; and 53 names for the post of Messengers. The period fixed upto 30.8.1997 by the Army Headquarters in its letter dated 13.8.1997 to finalise the recruitment, was extended to 29.11.1997. A board of two officers was constituted for selection for which the dates of post and interviews were fixed on 25/26.11.1997. A board of officers presided over by Maj. R.P.S. Rai conducted the selection of 68 Mazdoors on 25.11.1997. The second board presided over by Maj. R. Nagpaul conducted the selection of 8 Firemen and 02 Messengers on 26.11.1997.
(3.) The selection proceedings of the boards were approved on 20.12.1997, and the result was declared on the same day. The Army Headquarters vide letter dated 21.5.1998 gave clearance to issue appointment letters. The 27 appointment letters were processed and signed by the Commandant on 26.5.1998, and were despatched by the registered post on the same day. On the next day on 27.5.1998 some of the successful candidates joined.;