JUDGMENT :

1. The issues involved in all these petitions are similar. They are heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment. The facts as is discernible from the record of Special Civil Application No.19090 of 2017 are as under.

2. The petitioners have been serving as Unarmed Constable, Head Constable or Assistant Sub-Inspector and all of them have rendered more than 15 years of service. The petitioners have challenged the action of the respondent authorities in not providing women reservation in the recruitment to the post of Police Sub-Inspector (Unarmed) Class- III and thereby denying legitimate right of the petitioners for being appointed against such posts. The petitioners in one of the petitions have also challenged the action of the respondent authorities of not providing separate category-wise qualifying standard for women candidates despite there being different criteria provided for male and female candidates for such recruitment. The petitioners have, inter alia, prayed for following reliefs:

“6. The petitioner respectfully pray that, on the basis of the facts and circumstances as mentioned hereinabove and which may be urged at the time of hearing, the H