1. Heard Mr. Ashok Khare, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. Siddharth Khare, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Arun Kumar Sharma, learned counsel for the respondent no.4 and Mr. Shailendra Singh and Mr. Manoj Srivastava, learned Standing Counsels for the State-respondents.

2. The present writ petition raises questions of considerable legal nuance touching upon the interplay between accrued rights in a selection process, subsequent statutory and executive interventions, and the temporal applicability of recruitment norms. The petitioner seeks quashing of the order dated 28.10.2024 passed by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Bijnor, whereby approval to his selection on the post of Headmaster has been declined.

3. The essential facts, shorn of unnecessary detail, are that the institution in question is a recognized and aided Junior High School governed by the statutory framework of the U.P. Basic Education Act, 1972 and the Rules of 1978.

4. A vacancy having arisen on the post of Headmaster, an advertisement was issued on 15.07.2016. The petitioner, being eligible, participated in the selection process and was recommended by the Selection Committee on 29.07.2016.