Heard learned counsel for the parties.

The learned counsel for the petitioners in this petition has challenged the appointment of Fast Track Judges in the State of Jharkhand. Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that an advertisement was issued by the High Court of Jharkhand on 23rd May, 2001 whereby the posts of Additional District Judges were advertised. This advertisement was pursuant to the Jharkhand Superior Judicial Service (Recruitment, Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules of 2001). According to the learned counsel, the advertisement was meant exclusively for appointment in terms of the Rules of 2001 and no posts outside these Rules could have been made the subject matter of appointment.

The appointment of the Fast Track Judges (Respondents) as direct recruits to the Fast Track Court have been made from the selection which was pursuant to this advertisement. Since this advertisement was meant only for the regular Additional District Judges, the Fast Track Judges could not have been appointed pursuant to this advertisement.

Learned counsel for the petitioners further argued that the advertisement was issued in