J U D G M E N T

The issue raised in WP(C) Nos.653/08, 34829/08, 29087/09, 30506/09, 36191/09, 36753/09, 4980/2010, 6036/2010, 12298/2010, 13751/2010, 13780/2010 and 17500/2010 is the legality of the steps taken by the respondents to appoint 158 candidates to the post of Excise Preventive Officers by direct recruitment. WP(c).Nos.21547/2010 & 20867/2010 have been filed by the candidates who have been advised by the PSC for appointment to the post of Excise Preventive Officers in the quota earmarked for direct recruitment, complaining that they are not issued orders of appointment. Since the issues raised in these writ petitions are connected, these writ petitions were heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment.

2. Among the Writ Petitions challenging appointment by direct recruitment, WP(c).No.6036/2010, is treated as the leading :2 :

case and the facts pleaded are as follows;

3. First petitioner in this writ petition is the Kerala State Excise Staff Association, Kozhikode District Committee. Petitioners 2, 3 and 4 are Excise Preventive Officers and petitioners 5 and 6 are Excise Guards. Appointment to the post of Preventive Officers is governed by Excise Preventive Sub