Appointment procedures must adhere to regulations ensuring transparency and clarity to avoid disputes over seniority and qualifications.

JUDGMENT :

N.NAGARESH, J.

All these writ petitions relate to appointment to the post of HSST Junior (Zoology) in the BMHSS, Kottayam and appointment to the post of HSST (Zoology) in BHHSS, Mavelikkara. Hence, they are heard together and disposed of by a common judgment. The parties and exhibits are referred to in this judgment as they are described/marked in W.P.(C)No.3501/2025, for convenience.

2. Corporate Manager of CMS Schools, Kottayam is the petitioner in W.P.(C) No.3501/2025. The petitioner seeks to set aside Ext.P17 order dated 18.12.2024 of the 1^st respondent-State of Kerala and to direct the 4^th respondent-Regional Deputy Director to approve the appointment of the 5^th respondent as HSST Junior (Zoology) in BMGHSS, Kottayam with effect from 06.06.2019 and as HSST (Zoology) in BHHSS, Mavelikkara with effect from 01.06.2020.

3. W.P.(C) No.3546/2025 is filed by the 5^th respondent (who is presently working as HSST under the petitioner) in W.P.(C) No.3501/2025 seeking the same relief. W.P.(C) No.3584/2025 is filed by the 6^th respondent in W.P.(C) No.3501/2025 and who was appointed as HSST Junior under the petitioner, seeking to approve the appointment of the 6^th respondent as HSST Junior (Zoology) from 06.06.2019 and HSST (Zoology) from 01.06.2022 in implementation of Ext.P17 order.

4. W.P.(C) No.6890/2025 has been filed by one Aswathy Alex, who is also working as HSST (Zoology) in CMS HSS, Mallappally seeking to quash order dated 10.01.2025 to the extent of refusing to approve her appointment, from 11.07.2023.

5. The petitioner in W.P.(C) No.3501/2025 states that he is the Corporate Manager of CMS Schools, a corporate educational agency of CSI Madhyakerala Dioceses, Kottayam. The educational agency runs a number of Schools. When a vacancy of HSST Junior (Zoology) arose in BMHSS, Kottayam on 01.06.2017 consequent to the promotion of Smt. Elizabeth Mathew, a notification was issued. Another vacancy of HSST (Zoology) arose in BHHSS, Mavelikkara consequent to the transfer of Smt. Elizabeth Mathew, HSST (Zoology) to BMGHSS, Kottayam. Ext.P2 notification dated 15.06.2018 was published to fill up the said post.

6. The 5^th respondent submitted Ext.P4 application and the 6^th respondent submitted Ext.P3 application. The 5^th respondent had prior experience as Guest Lecturer and Teacher in various Colleges/Schools. Selection Committee constituted had a nominee who was Additional Secretary to Government. In the interview conducted, the 5^th respondent stood at rank No.1 and the 6^th respondent stood at rank No.2.

7. Therefore, the 5^th respondent was appointed as HSST (Zoology) in BHHSS, Mavelikkara and the 6^th respondent was appointed as HSST Junior (Zoology) in BMHSS, Kottayam. While so, one Smt. Susan Goerge, HSST (Natural Science), BIGHSS, Pallom raised a claim for by- transfer appointment to the post of HSST Junior (Zoology) submitting an application dated 14.06.2019. She also claimed appointment by transfer to the post of HSST (Zoology), against the post to which the 5^th respondent was appointed.

8. The 4^th respondent heard the petitioner and the 6^th respondent and directed the petitioner to make by- transfer appointment to the post of HSST Junior in BMGHSS, Kottayam. The 3^rd respondent also considered the claim raised by Susan George for appointment to the post of HSST (Zoology) in BHHSS, Mavelikkara in which the 5^th respondent was appointed. The 3^rd respondent ordered by-transfer appointment against the said vacancy.

9. Though the petitioner challenged the two orders passed in favour of the sai