O R D E R

Per: Justice Sunil Thomas, Judicial Member –

OA No. 180/00356/2024 –

The applicants herein challenge the inclusion of the 5^th respondent a Scheduled Caste candidate, in the select list to the post of Chief Loco Inspector, against the UR vacancies.

2. Applicants Nos. 1 and 2 are Loco Pilots/Mail in the Trivandrum Division. They joined as Diesel Assistants on 6.4.1998 and 25.1.1989 respectively. After several promotions the 1^st applicant was appointed as LP Mail on 20.1.2021 and the 2^nd applicant on 31.9.2009.

3. While so, the 4^th respondent, the Assistant Personnel Officer of the Southern Railway issued Annexure A1 notification dated 19.1.2023 notifying 12 vacancies of Chief Loco Inspector in Level-7 in Electrical Operations Department of Trivandrum Division. The eligibility criteria mentioned in the notification was Loco Pilot/Mail, Passenger and Goods who have completed either 5 lakhs kilometers actual foot plate duties or 10 years of actual service as Loco Pilot. The mode of selection prescribed was written examination to asses the professional eligibility of the candidates and record of service. The panel was to be prepared on the basis of merit.

4. Annexure A1 notification