JUDGMENT

R. V. Raveendran J.

1. This appeal by special leave is preferred by the writ petitioners in CWP No.18727 of 2003 being aggrieved by the dismissal of their writ petition by the Punjab & Haryana High Court by judgment dated 5.10.2004. The appellants, appointed as Principals between 1995 and 2000 (either by direct recruitment or promotion) are aggrieved by the seniority given to respondents 4 to 16 appointed as Principals on 26.5.2000, with retrospective effect from 2.6.1994.

2. The Haryana Public Service Commission - the third respondent (`Commission' for short) issued an advertisement in January, 1992 inviting applications for 18 posts of temporary Principals in higher secondary schools. The advertisement made it clear that the number of posts advertised was subject to variations to any extent. On 1.6.1993, the State Education Department made a fresh requisition to the Commission in regard to additional vacancies, thereby increasing the posts to be filled to 37. Respondents 4 to 16 were applicants against the said advertisement and underwent the process of selection. The Commission declared the merit list of 30 selected candidates on 30.9.1993 (published on 1.10.1993), which i