ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA,J. - (1.) Heard learned counsels for the petitioners, Shri S.P. Singh, learned Additional Solicitor General of India assisted by Shri Gyan Prakash, learned Assistant Solicitor General of India and a large number of other counsels, who have appeared for the Union of India and other authorities.
(2.) Young and unemployed youth, running into thousands are before this Court in this bunch of writ petitions filed against their non-selection, for the appointment to the post of Constable (GD) in different paramilitary organizations. Their grievance is directed against selection proceedings undertaken by the recruitment agency, i.e., the Regional Staff Selection Commission, Allahabad. Petitioners complain of nepotism and gross infraction of applicable instructions in conduct of recruitment exercise initiated in the year 2011. Although the total number of similar writ petitions listed today are more than 500 but the grievance is identical. With some difference in the facts pleaded and grounds urged, the issue raised is common. This petition, i.e., Writ A No. - 48354 of 2017, is treated as the leading writ petition, which has 54 petitioners. Other petitions, which are heard along with the leading case, also have large number of petitioners and therefore, individual case of each petitioner need not be dealt with, separately, in as much as, points of determination are common to all. All writ petitions have been heard together on several days and judgement is being delivered in the leading writ petition, which shall govern all other similar petitions, which have been heard with this petition.
(3.) A brief background of facts leading to the controversy raised is noticed first.;