JUDGMENT

1. The petitioner is an Associate Professor in Media Education and Research Centre of the University of Kashmir ['the University']. She is aggrieved of and has sought a writ in the nature of certiorari for quashing following orders/communications issued by the University:-

(a) Order No. F (Placement. Sr. Scale-CAS) RC/KU/10/124 dated 19-05-2010;

(b) Communication No. F(Seniority-Ap. MERC) Admn TW/KU/19/6176 dated 27-04-2019; and

(c) F(MERC-Seniority)Adm-TW-218464 dated 08-01-2021. The order/communications hereinabove shall be hereinafter referred to as impugned order/communications respectively.

2. Before adverting to the grounds of challenge urged on behalf of the petitioner and the rebuttal thereto given by the respondents, it would be appropriate to notice material facts.

3. The petitioner and respondent No.6 applied for the solitary post of Lecturer in Media Education and Research Centre [MERC] of the University, notified for direct recruitment vide advertisement notice No. F.10 (Apptt-Gen)Adm/TW dated 22.01.2002. In the selection process, the petitioner came to be selected against the post and was, accordingly, appointed by the University vide Order No. F.10 (Apptt-Gen) Adm