Judgment

Arijit Pasayat, J.—Challenge in these appeals is to the judgment of a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court. The basic grievance of the appellants is that the High Court adjudicated an issue which was not the subject-matter of challenge before the High Court and in any event persons who are affected by the decision were not impleaded as parties.

2. Factual background which is almost undisputed needs to be noted in brief.

3. By notification dated 25.2.1999 the Deputy Director for Public Instruction, Mandya District, Mandya called for applications from qualified candidates for filling up 918 posts of Assistant Master/Primary school teachers in Mandya district and fixed 31.3.1999 as the last date for receipt of applications. The notification stipulated that the application should be presented in person by the candidate on or before 5 p.m. on 31.3.1999 and the applicant should be ordinarily resident of Mandya district. Writ petitions were filed by some persons belonging to Mandya district (Writ petition Nos. 16023-16072/1999 Smt. H. Girija and Ors. vs. State of Karnataka and Ors.) challenging the aforesaid stipulations. The High Court by order dated 28.7.1999 set aside the a