Jagannadha Rao, CJ.

This Writ Petition has been referred to a Division Bench by an order of a learned Single Judge dated 1-10-1985. The point that arises for consideration in this Writ Petition is whether the Kerala State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1958 (hereinafter called the 'KS& SSR) are applicable, or are not applicable, to the police personnel under the service of the State Government.

2. The facts of the case are as follows. The writ petitioner is advised by the Employment Exchange, Palghat, for being appointed to the post of Women Police Constable. She, along with the fourth respondent, was seeded by the Superintendent of Police, Palghat (the second respondent), and were directed to report for medical examination before the Superintendent of the District Hospital. The provisional list would show the name of the petitioner as first among the 10 candidates provisionally selected as per Ext. P1, while the fourth respondent was shown at SI. No. 3. Subsequently the petitioner was appointed as a Police Constable on 1-4-1968 as per Ext. P2 and her probation was declared on 30-9-1970, and the probation of the fourth respondent was declared on 20-10-1970. The seniority