JUDGMENT

S.B. Sinha, J.—The State of Punjab is in appeal before us being aggrieved by and dissatisfied with a judgment and order dated 10.01.2002 passed by a Division Bench of the Punjab & Haryana High Court allowing the writ petitions filed by the Respondents herein.

2. On or about 07-05-1997, the Civil Surgeon, Nawanshahr issued an advertisement in ‘New Zamana’, Jalandhar, inviting applications for the following 31 posts :

(1) Ward Servant 15

(2) Sweeper 08

(3) Mali 02

(4) Cook 04

(5) Aaya 01

(6) Dental Attendant 01

3. A large number of candidates being more than 9000 applied for appointments in the said posts pursuant to or in furtherance of the said advertisement. Interviews of about 1000 persons were conducted on 12/13.05.1997. Appointment letters to the so-called candidates were despatched on 05.06. 1997 and they were allowed to join on 06.6. 1997.

4. A writ petition was filed by some unsuccessful candidates, which was marked as Civil Writ Petition No. 11116 of 1997, wherein 18 of the selected candidates were made parties. The entire selection process as well as the selection of the said respondents were questioned, inter alia, on the ground that their names were recommended by one or