JUDGMENT :

N.NAGARESH, J.

The petitioner is aggrieved by the action of the respondent in appointing the 7^th respondent as Headmaster in the CSI VHSS for the Deaf, Thiruvalla.

2. The petitioner was appointed as UPSA in the School on 02.06.1997. The petitioner was promoted as HSA on 03.06.2013. The petitioner states that she holds Degrees in MA Malayalam, MA English, B.Sc Physics, B.Ed in Physical Science and a D.Ed in Hearing Impairment. The petitioner has passed the Departmental Tests including the Account Test (Lower), the Kerala Education Act and Rules and the Account Test (Higher).

3. The 7^th respondent was appointed as UPSA on 02.06.1997. The 7^th respondent was promoted as HSA on 01.06.2022.

4. In anticipation of the retirement of the Headmaster, Smt. Susha Susan George on 31.05.2024, the Manager of the School issued Ext. P2 notice dated 20.05.2024. The petitioner and the 7^th respondent submitted applications. The petitioner states that overlooking the superior seniority, claim and merit of the petitioner, the 5^th respondent appointed the 7^th respondent as Headmaster as per Ext.P7 order dated 01.06.2024.

5. The petitioner submitted Ext.P8 representation dated 05.06.2024 before the 4^t