JUDGMENT

S. B. MAJMUDAR, J. :—This petition by petitioners has brought in challenge the process of selection of Munsiffs in the State of Jammu and Kashmir undertaken by Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (hereinafter referred to as Commission), pursuant to an advertisement notice, inviting applications in the months of July and August, 1993. The said selection of the concerned successful respondents has been challenged on diverse grounds to which we will make a reference a little later.

2. Now a glance at a few introductory facts. An advertisement notice issued by the Commission in the closing months of 1993, invited applications from eligible candidates for filling up posts of Munsiffs in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The petitioners being eligible for competing for the said advertised posts submitted their applications to the Secretary of the Commission. Similarly, the concerned respondents who are selected for the said posts also submitted their applications. The Commission conducted the written examination in July and August, 1993 and thereafter vide notification dated 27th April, 1994 candidates mentioned in the notification were declared to have qualified for viva v