H C PUTTASWAMY Vs. HONBLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF KARNATAKA HIGH COURT BANGALORE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The review petitions are against the order dated 30 April 1990, dismissing Special Leave Petitions Nos.3131-37,/88 and other connected petition. The Special Leave Petitions are directed against the decision of the Karnataka High Court dated 21 January 1988 by which the petitioners were unseated by quashing their appointments. The Court while dismissing the Special Leave Petitions, however, issued certain directions as under:

(2.) The instant review petitions have been presented with the plea that the directions issued by this Court though merciful are not likely to enure to the benefit of a large number of petitioners. It is said that a majority of the petitioners have already crossed the age of 40 years, and they will not get the benefit of age relaxation even if it is allowed up to 10 years under Rule 6(3) (b) of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977. It is also stated that all the petitioners have put in more than 10 years of service. They have over the years acquired considerable experience in office administration and it would cause them irreparable injury if they are thrown out of employment. It is further stated that the majority of the petitioners may not come any where near the zone of selection in the event of a fresh selection in spite of their high qualifications and long experience, since there would be lakhs of candidates for fresh recruitment. With these and other grounds, the petitioners seek a review of the entire matter.

(3.) On 17 July 1990 notice was issued on the review petitions and upon service they were admitted with the following observations