1. All these writ petitions concern a common issue regarding the filling up of the post of Assistants in Kannur University. WP (C) Nos. 21142/2010 & 36023/2010 are filed by persons who are claiming that they are fully qualified for appointment if a fresh notification is issued by the University. In WP (C) Nos. 6068/2011 and 11523/2011, the petitioners are candidates who have been included in the rank list published by the University for appointment to the said post. The whole dispute is whether the University can make appointment, in excess of the number of vacancies specified in the notification.

2. Ext. P1 produced in WP (C) No. 21142/2010 is the copy of the notification issued by the University dated 04/09/2008. Against the post of Assistant, the number of vacancies shown is 45. After conducting a written test as well as interview, a rank list was published on 02/08/2010. Forty -five vacancies have been filled up by making appointments also. The contention taken by the petitioners in WP (C) Nos. 21142/2010 and 36023/2010 mainly is that exceeding the number of vacancies notified, the University is trying to fill up further vacancies, which will deprive the right of the