Judgment

Nanavati, J.-Leave granted.

2. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

Nilu Sharma, respondent No. 1, filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court against the National Airports Authority (hereinafter re­ferred to as ‘NAA’) and others, challenging appointment of C.V. Mar­thandan, respondent No. 9, as Private Secretary and for a direction to NAA to promote her as Private Secretary on the basis of her seniority. The High Court allowed the writ petition, quashed the appointment of respondent No. 9 and directed NAA to consider Nilu Sharma for appoint­ment as Private Secretary by applying the criteria of seniority-cum-suitability. NAA has, therefore, filed this appeal.

3. Prior to 1990, there was no post of ‘Private Secretary’ in the organisation of NAA. In May, 1990, it created four fresh posts of Private Secretary, one each for the offices at Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Mad­ras, in the pay-scale of Rs. 2,000-3,500/-. On July 5, 1990, it issued a Memorandum informing all concerned that the said posts were to be filled up from amongst stenographers Grade I and Grade II having a combined service of 8 years. By the same Memorandum, Smt. Khade and Nilu Sharma were requested to appear