Judgment

S. C. AGRAWAL, J.:- This appeal relates to the inter se seniority of the appellant and respondent No. 3 in the Punjab Superior Judicial Service (hereinafter referred to as The Service). The appellant and respondent No. 3 were both appointed to the Service on May 26, 1986 on the basis of selection by direct recruitment. The appellant belongs to the general category whereas respondent No. 3 is a Mazhabi Sikh, which is a Scheduled Caste in Punjab.

2. The recruitment to the Service is governed by Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1963 (hereinafter referred to as The Rules). By Rule 8-A, which was inserted in the rules by notification dated June 14, 1977, the instructions issued by the State Goveminent from time to time in relation to reservation of appointments or posts for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes were made applicable for the purpose of making appointments to the posts in the Service. The orders of the State Government relating to persons belonging to Scheduled Castes in this regard which have a bearing in this appeal are as follows :-

(1) Letter dated June 6, 1974 from the Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes