- (1.) This bunch of writ petitions is being decided vide this common order as the facts and issues raised are identical. For the facility of reference, facts are being culled out from CWP No.19909 of 2002. Feeling aggrieved against the impugned selection of private respondents for appointment to the posts of clerks in the respondent-State, petitioners have filed these writ petitions seeking the writ in the nature of certiorari, for quashing the selection in question.
(2.) Subordinate Services Selection Board, Punjab-respondent No.2 issued advertisement No.1/1997 published on 20.7.1997, inviting the applications from eligible candidates, for the post of clerks. Petitioners claiming themselves to be eligible candidates, applied for the same. After completing the selection process, result thereof was prepared and the same was declared. Petitioners, who remained unsuccessful, claimed that they were more meritorious candidates than the selected candidates. However, the selection making authority failed to consider the better and preferential claim of the petitioners. The marks which were awarded to the petitioners by the then Chairman of respondent-selection board, were not taken into consideration simply on the ground that the said record was not traceable. This was none of the fault of the petitioners.
(3.) Notice of motion was issued and pursuant thereto, respondents filed their written statements, controverting the allegations levelled by the petitioners. The writ petitions were admitted for regular hearing. That is how, this Court is seized of the matter.;