Balakrishnan Nair, J.

The appellants were the petitioners in W.P. (C) No. 12723/2004. The respondents herein were the respondents in that case. The Writ Petition was filed, challenging the selection and appointment of the 3rd respondent to the post of Reader in the Department of Commerce and Management Studies under the 1st respondent University.

2. The brief facts of the case are the following: The University invited applications for appointment to various posts as per Ext. P1 notification published on 9.2003. Reader in Commerce and Management Studies was one of the posts notified under Ext. P1. The qualifications prescribed for the post of Reader were:

"(i) A good academic record with a doctoral degree or equivalent published work in the concerned subject of this University or an equivalent degree from an Indian/Foreign University recognized as equivalent thereto with a doctoral degree or equivalent published work. In addition to these, candidates who join from outside the University system shall also possess at least 55% of the marks or an equivalent grade of B in 7 point Scale with latter grades O, A, B,C, D, E and F at Masters degree level.

(ii) Five years of teachi