JUDGMENT :

AJIT KUMAR, J.

1. Heard Sri Indra Raj Singh, learned counsel representing the petitioner, Sri J.N. Maurya, learned Chief Standing Counsel assisted by Sri R.S. Umrao, learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the State-respondents and perused the records.

2. Petitioner has questioned the order dated 29.12.2023 passed by respondent no. 2- Regional Selection Committee chaired by the present Regional Joint Director of Education, Secondary, Prayagraj rejecting his claim for regularization of the petitioner only on the ground that short-term vacancy upon which he was appointed in the year 1997, later on got converted into a substantive vacancy in the year 2008.

3. This Court earlier, however, noticed this above reason and found to be highly misplaced and, therefore, had directed the Regional Joint Director of Education, Secondary, Prayagraj as well as the District Inspector of Schools concerned to remain present today in the Court along with their affidavits. Sri Sacchidanand Yadav, who happens to be the District Inspector of Schools, Kaushambi and Sri Dibya Kant Shukla, the Regional Joint Director of Education, Secondary, Prayagraj both are present. Both the officers have f