ORDER

Leave granted.

We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. These appeals arise from the order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal made on February 27, 1996 in OA No. 3034-35/95. The recruitment for the post of teacher was completed prior to November 17, 1993 and teachers came to be appointed. When the same was challenged, the Tribunal found that they were in excess of 50% of the quota reserved for the backward classes and weaker sections of the society. But the Tribunal declined to interfere with the order on the ground that the appellants belatedly approached the Tribunal on June 15, 1995 by which time all the appointments had come to be made and the teachers were working. The Tribunal has pointed out thus :

"The present applications were filed on 15.6.1996. The Applicants question the appointments to the public offices made by the State Government. Any challenge to the appointments by the State Government should be made at the earliest. Any laches on the part of the challenger to the appointments is a ground to refuse the relief. Upsetting of the appointments at this belated stage would also up-set the administrative machinery and it is not in the public interest th