S.N.Jha, J.

1. In this batch of 11 writ petitions which have been heard together the petitioners have challenged the validity of the recruitment process leading to the appointment of 1378 Lecturers in different constituent colleges in the State of Bihar.

2. While admitting the writ petitions by common order on 21.3.97 this Court directed that CWJC Nos. 11958 and 12382 of 1996 shall be treated as the representative cases. Observing that the appointees are entitled to opportunity of hearing, they were directed to be added as respondents in those two cases and in view of their number, a general notice in two newspapers was ordered to be published at the cost of the petitioners in lieu of individual notices by ordinary process which would have been very time consuming. Out of 1378 appointees, we were told, 973 have appeared and filed their counter affidavits. No grievance has been made as to the service of notice, or the mode thereof, from any quarter. Affidavits- in-opposition etc. have been filed in CWJC Nos. 11958 and 12382 of 1996 alone. However, as the leading argument was made with reference to CWJC No. 12382 of 1996 I shall aver to the facts of the case and the documents