Sunil Ambwani, J. - (1.) Heard Shri Ashok Khare, Senior Advocate assisted by Sri V.D. Chauhan, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri Amit Sthelkar for respondents. Counter and rejoinder affidavits have been exchanged. With the consent of both the parties, this writ petition has been heard and is being finally decided at the admission stage.
(2.) All the petitioners were candidates for direct recruitment on nine vacancies of Class III posts in the Judgeship at Etah. Out of these six vacancies were on the post of Apprentices, two on the posts of Copyist and two, on the posts of Stenographers, The advertisement was published in news paper 'Zila Times' dated 14.11.2003 and 'Rojgar Sangrah'. The petitioners 1 to 9, 11 and 12 applied for clerical posts while petitioner 10 applied for the post of Stenographer. The stenography test was held on 13.12.2003. The written examination was held on. 14.12.2003 in which all the petitioners participated. The select list was approved and forwarded . by the Chairman of the Examination Committee to District Judge, Etah on 1.9.2004. On the same day the District Judge accepted the report and published the select list. Petitioners 1, 9, 10, and 11 belong to O.B.C. category. Petitioners 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12 belongs to general category, while petitioners 5, 6 & 7 belongs to. Scheduled Tribe category. All the petitioners were selected and that District Judge, Etah issued appointment letters to the petitioners on the same day on 1.9.2004. They submitted their joining on 2.9.2004,
(3.) By the impugned order dated 3.9.2004 the District Judge, Etah has cancelled the appointments with immediate effect. The order canceling the appointments reads as under: "3.9.2004 ORDER Since the examination results regarding recruitment of Class III employees conducted in the year 2003, have been cancelled, the appointment does subsequent thereto also stand cancelled with immediate effect. Sd- 3.9.2004 (Vikrama jeet Singh) District Judge, Etah 3.9.2004";