R.S.Mongia, J.

1. The post of Assistant Advocate General in the State of Punjab was advertised in August, 1987. Petitioner before me was one of the candidates for the said post. Interviews for selecting the candidates for the said post were held on 13.10.1987 by a Committee consisting of Home Secretary of the State of Punjab, Advocate General of the State of Punjab and the Legal Remembrancer of the State of Punjab. The said Committee made a panel of three candidates for the post and placed them in order of merit. Mr. M.L. Agnihotri, was placed at Serial No. 1, Mr.Baldev Singh Bhalur was placed at No. 2 whereas the petitioner was placed at Sr. No. 3 in order of merit. It has been averred in the petition and which is not disputed that Mr. Agnihotri who was offered the appointment to the post of Assistant Advocate General, Punjab joined the post on 16.10.1987. However, he resigned from the job and was relieved on 13.11.1987. The said post which had fallen vacant because of the resignation of Mr. Agnihotri was offered to the candidate at serial No. 2 i.e. Mr.B.S. Bhalur, but he had given in writing that he is not interested in job. The post was then not offered to the petitione