O. P. GARG, J.

( 1 ) BOTH these writ petition deal with the same controversy. Counter and rejoinder affidavits have been exchanged in writ petition No. 38406 of 1996. With the consent of the Parties Counsel, counter and rejoinder affidavits filed in the writ petition No. 38406/ 96 shall also be read in the connected writ petition No. 36605 of 1997. Heard Sri Vijay Bahadur Singh, learned Counsel for the petitioners and Sri Lalji Sinha, learned Counsel for the respondents.

( 2 ) BY means of these two writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, it is prayed that the employment notice No. 1 of 1. 996 issued on 1. 11. 1996 for recruitment of the constables in Railway Protection Force (for short rpf) be quashed and the respondents be directed not to appoint any candidate selected in pursuance of the said notice of employment. It is further prayed that the recruitment made in pursuance of the employment notice No. 2/94 be directed to be given effect to and the respondents be commanded to declare the result of the said recruitment and the petitioners, if successful, may be appointed. The facts leading to the present two petitions lie in a very narrow compass. The woodcut