JUDGMENT :

ASHOK BHUSHAN, J.

Leave granted.

2. These three appeals have been filed against the common judgment dated 27.07.2020 of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana dismissing the Civil Writ Petition No.13496 of 2009 which was filed by the appellants in first two appeals. The third appeal, Sandeep Kumar and another is an appeal filed by the two appellants who were intervenors in the Civil Writ Petition No.13496 of 2009. The Division Bench of the High Court by the impugned judgment dismissed the writ petition upholding the promotion orders of all the respondent Nos.4 to 34 as Inspector in the Haryana Police.

3. Brief facts of the case necessary to be noted for deciding these appeals are:

The appointment and promotion in Police Force of the State of Haryana are governed by Punjab Police Rules, 1934. In the State of Haryana prior to 2001, 100% posts of Sub-Inspectors of Police used to be filled by way of promotion. Rule 12.3 was amended vide notification dated 24.12.2001 by substituting Rule 12.3 to the following effect:

“12.3, Direct appointment of Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors – Except as provided in rules 12.1 and 12.4 direct appointment shall not be made except in the rank of Inspec