Hon'ble V.K. Shukla, A.C.J.—In the abovemetioned Special Appeal in question, as common question of law has been engaging the attention of this Court, the Special Appeal in question are being decided collectively and Special Appeal Defective No. 338 of 2016 is being treated to be leading case.

Ref: Delay Condonation Application

2. For the reasons stated in affidavit filed in support of Delay Condonation Application, which constitutes sufficient cause, application is allowed. Delay of 14 days in filing the Special Appeal is condoned. Special Appeal is treated to have been filed well within time.

Ref: Special Appeal

3. Both these Special Appeals are directed against the judgement and order dated 16.3.2016 passed by learned Single Judge in Writ Petition No. 37599 of 2015 (Ashish Kumar Pandey and 24 others v. State of U.P. and 29 others) connected with other writ petitions, wherein the Learned Single Judge has proceeded to allow the Writ Petitions with the following directions:

The questions framed, consequently, is answered as follows:

(i) The candidates claiming horizont