JUDGMENT :

YASHWANT VARMA, J.

1. The Court has heard Sri Ashutosh Srivastava and Sri Siddharth Khare on behalf of the petitioners. Sri Manish Goel appeared for the High Court. The private respondents were represented by Sri C.B. Gupta learned counsel on record who, however, stated that he had no instructions. No other counsel appeared on behalf of these respondents.

2. The petitioners, who are Class -IV employees working in the establishment of this Court, have preferred the instant writ petition assailing a promotion exercise undertaken by the High Court for appointment of Routine Grade Clerks. The principal challenge is to the procedure for promotion as adopted by the respondents, with the petitioners contending that promotion was to be effected on the basis of merit as obtained by candidates in a competitive examination and not on the principle of inter se seniority of candidates, the norm which was ultimately adopted and implemented by the High Court.

3. Post the order of the Court permitting amendment of the reliefs claimed and as the petition stood when finally heard, challen