The court affirmed that appointments cannot be made from an expired rank list under Article 226, reinforcing procedural integrity in public service appointments.

JUDGMENT Dated this the 30^th day of January, 2026 The petitioner states that she is working in Chandiroor Service Co-operative Bank Limited since the year 2015. The petitioner was included in the rank list for appointment to the post of Clerk / Cashier (Part-II-Society Quota) in Alappuzha District Co-operative Bank. The petitioner is rank No.66 (Ezhava) in Ext.P1 rank list.

2. The petitioner states that after amalgamation of the District Co-operative Bank, now only the Kerala State Co-operative Bank is existing. The rank list came into force from 23.02.2017. Due to the amalgamation process, appointment to the post was not properly made.

3. The rank holders approached this Court filing writ petitions, which were allowed. The issue was taken up before the Division Bench of this Court. This Court disposed of the Writ Appeal by judgment dated 08.12.2025 favouring the order of the appointment from the rank list, contends the petitioner.

4. According to the petitioner, due to reasons beyond the control of the petitioner, she could not approach this Court along with the other rank holders. For that reason, the petitioner is being denied appointment. The petitioner would assert that there existed a large number of vacancies at that time. Even if the petitioner is considered and appointed from Ext.P1 rank list, it will not affect the rights of other persons.

5. The petitioner would argue that the issue arose due to the omission on the part of the respondents. The petitioner being a meritorious candidate, the petitioner need not be denied appointment which is otherwise due to her.

6. Heard.

7. The issue relating to appointment to the post of Clerk / Cashier in the erstwhile District Co-operative Bank in Kerala came up for consideration before this Court. The matter was finally taken up before the Division Bench of this Court in WA No.608 of 2021 and connected cases. On the basis of the submissions made before this Court, it was found that there are no existing vacancies in Alappuzha District to be reported to the Kerala Public Service Commission. This is evident from Ext.P3. If there are no vacancies in Alappuzha District, the petitioner cannot make any claim for appointment.

8. Furthermore, I find that the validity of the rank list has expired. A Division Bench of this Court in the judgment in State of Kerala v. Sreekantan [ 1993 (1) KLT 107 ] has held that this Court under Article 226 has no power to direct the Kerala Public Service Commission to make appointment / advice from an expired rank list.

In view of the afore facts and circumstances, the writ petition is without any merit and it is dismissed.

Sd/-