Holding

No appointment can be made by the State in the absence of a completed selection process and select list; the State cannot substitute for the selection committee and writ courts cannot act on sympathy alone.

Summary

The State of Madhya Pradesh sought to recruit Assistant Teachers under the Operation Black Board project, amending Rule 10(3) of the 1973 recruitment rules to expedite selection. After interviews in Damoh district, an Administrative Tribunal stayed appointments and later declared the amendment illegal, a decision the Supreme Court stayed. The State offered appointments to selected candidates except those interviewed in Damoh, and the Tribunal later ordered completion of the selection process. The High Court, relying on sympathy, directed the appointment of the respondents whose selection was incomplete. On appeal, the Supreme Court held that without a finalized select list and completed tabulation, the State cannot appoint candidates nor substitute for the selection committee, and no legal right to appointment exists; writ courts cannot grant relief on sympathy alone. However, owing to the peculiar facts, the Court ordered age‑relaxation for future selection and a compensation of Rs 10,000 to each respondent.

Issues considered

Whether the State can appoint candidates whose selection process was incomplete and no select list was prepared.
Whether the respondents have a legal right to appointment under the recruitment rules.
Whether a writ court may grant relief on the basis of equity or sympathy in the absence of a legal right.

Legislation cited

Constitution of Indias. Article 14, s. Article 16

Subjects

recruitmentselection processadministrative lawwrit of mandamusstatutory rulesappointmentequalityconstitutional lawArticle 14Article 16sympathyage relaxation

Judgment

)
f

STATE OF M.P. AND ORS. A
v.
SANJAY KUMAR PATHAK AND ORS.

OCTOBER 10, 2007
B
[S.B. SINHA AND H.S. BEDI, .JJ.]

•( Service Law-Recruitment of teachers-Under a project-By
amendment of recruitment rules-Selection of some candidates
stopped-By interim order of Court while considering validity of the C
amendment-Appointment ofselected candidates after the amendment
was upheld-Candidates whose selection was stopped, claiming
appointment-Denied by State-Administrative Tribunal directing
completion of selection process-High Court directing their
appointment on sympathetic considerations-On appeal, held: No D
appointment could be made by the State in view ofincomplete selection
process-Action ofthe State being bonafide could not be challenged-
Ordinarily a Writ Court should not act on the basis ofsympathy alone,
in absence ofany legal right-Madhya Pradesh Non-Gazetted Class
III Education Service (Non-Collegiate Service) Recruitment and E
Promotion Rules, I 973-r. I 0 (3).
Government oflndia launched a Project which was required to
be implemented within Eighth Plan period. In terms thereof teachers
were required to be appointed. With a view to expedite the
implementation in the State of Madhya Pradesh, Rule 10(3) of F
Madhya Pradesh Non-Gazetted Class III Education Service (Non-
Collegiate Service) Recruitment and Promotion Rules, 1973 was
amended for recruitment of Assistant Teachers. Selection
Committees were constituted for recruitment in every district for
selection to be made districtwise. Appointments were to be made in G
phases. Administrative Tribunal in a case wherein validity of s. 10(3)
was challenged, by an interim order stayed the appointments of
selected candidates made in terms of the Scheme. Preparation of
Select List for Dam oh District was stopped in view of the interim
951 H
952 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 10 S.C.R~\
A order. No tabulation was done in respect of the interviews of the
candidates. Tribunal subsequently declared the amendment illegal.
However the order of Tribunal was stayed by this court. Pursuant
thereto State Government offered appointments in favour of the
selected candidates except those who had been interviewed by the
B Selection Committee of Damoh District. Ultimately the selection
process was upheld by this court. The candidates who have been
interviewed filed application before the Tribunal for issuance of
appointment letter to them. Tribunal directed to complete the aborted T
process of selection. State's Writ Petition thereagainst was
c dismissed by High Court in view of the peculiarity of the case without
going into the merit. Hence the present appeals.
Allowing the appeals, the Court
HELD: 1. No appointment could be made by the State in
D absence of the Select List. The State could not substitute itself for
the Selection Committee. It is not disputed that the tabulation of the
marks obtained by the candidates was not finalized. For the purpose
of selection, the marks allotted to each of the candidates should be
known to the members of the Selection Committee. Members of the
E Selection Committee before preparing the Select List were entitled
to undergo a consultative process so as to enable them to arrive at
a consensus in regard to the candidates who should be appointed.
As the tabulation process itself was not completed, the question of
preparing any Select List also did not arise.
p [Paras 10and19] [959-C-D; 963-A]
2. Recruitment to the posts of Assistant Teacher is governed
by statutory rules. Rule 10 of Madhya Pradesh Non-Gazetted Class
III Education Service (Non-Collegiate Service) Recruitment and
Promotion Rules, 1973 was amended only for the purpose of
G implementation of the Scheme of the Central Government. It is trite
law that while the recruitment process is governed by the Rules, the
same should be scrupulously complied with. The condition of
selection was to remain unchanged. One of the conditions for
recruitment was, therefore, selection of the candidates.
H [Para 12] [959-H; 960-A-BJ
STATEv. SANJAYKUMARPATHAK 953

3. The Tribunal as also the High Court did not call for the A
documents pertaining to the selection process.No finding of fact has
been arrived at that the respondents herein were bound to be
selected and consequently appointed. Whether all of them had fared
better than the other candidates who had not approached the
Tribunal had not been found. As the selection process itself was not B
complete, there was nothing before the Tribunal as also the High
Court to indicate that they had acquired legal right of any kind
whatsoever. Even where, it is trite, the names of the persons.
appeared in the selection list, the same by itself would not give rise
to a legal right unless the action on the part of the State is found to c
be unfair, unreasonable or malafide. The State, thus, subject to
acting bonafide as also complying with the principles laid down in
Articles 14and16 of the Constitution oflndia, is entitled to take a
decision not to employ any selected candidate even from amongst
the Select List. It is not the contention of the respondents that the D
State Government acted ma/a.fide. (Para 13] (960-B-F]
Shankarasan Dash v. Union of India, (1991] 2 SCR 567; Asha
Kaul (Mrs.) andAnr. v. State ofJammu and Kashmir and Ors., [1993]
2 SCC 577; K. Jayamohan v. State ofKerala and Anr., (1997] 5 SCC
170; All India SC & ST Employees' Association and Anr. v. A. Arthur E
Jeen and Ors. (2001] 6 SCC 380; Food Corporation ofIndia and Ors.
v. Bhanu Lodh and Ors., (2005] 3 SCC 618 and Pitta Naveen Kumar
and Ors. v. Raja Narasaiah Zangiti and Ors., (2006] 10 SCC 261, relied
on
F
Munna Royv. Union ofIndia and Ors., [2000] 9 SCC 283, referred
to.

4. If the action of the State was not bonafide and/or otherwise
unfair, the Tribunal and consequently the High Court could exercise
their jurisdiction to issue a writ of or in the nature of Mandamus, as G
has been sought to be done, but neither any such plea was raised
nor the same was otherwise found to be existing. Ordinarily, the writ
court should not, in absence of any legal right, act on the basis of
sympathy alone. [Paras 14 and 20] [960-F-G; 963-A-B]
H
954 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 10 S.C.R.
---V\
A Ramakrishna Kamat and Ors. v. State of Karnataka and Ors.,
[2003] 3 sec 374, relied on.
Mar.uti Udyod Ltd v. Ram Lal and Ors., (2005] 2 SCC 638; State
ofBihar and Ors. v. Amrendra Kumar Mishra, (2006) 9 SCALE 549,
Regional Manager, SB/ v. Mahatma Mishra, (2006) 11 SCALE 258
B and State ofKarnataka v. Ameerbi and Ors., (2006) 13, SCALE 319,
referred to
5. However, keeping in view -the peculiar facts and
circumstances of the case, it is directed that the respondents shall
C be entitled to relaxation of age in the event they intend to take part
in the next selection process. The State is also directed to pay a sum
of Rs. 10,000/- each to the respondents concerned.
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 1062 of
2005.
D
From the final Judgment and Order dated 27.1.2003 of the High >---
Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur in W.P. No. 2946 of2002.
WITH
E C.A. Nos. 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069, 1070,
1071, 1072, 1073, 1073, 1074, 1075, 1076, 1077, 5737of2005 and
4754/2007.
Vibha Datta Makhija and B.S. Banthia (N.P.) for the Appellants.
F Prakash Shrivastava for the Respondents.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
S.B. SINHA, J. 1. Leave granted in SLP.
2. The Government oflndia sponsored a project commonly known
G as Operation Black Board during the Eighth Plan period, i.e. 1992-1997 }-
in terms whereof financial clearance was to be given for appointment of
Additional Teachers in all primary/middle schools which had only one
teacher in order to improve the standard of education. With a view to
implement the said project, the State intended to appoint 7000 to 11000
H
/
'j
I
STATEv. SANJAYKUMARPATHAK[SINHA,J.] 955

teachers. A
3. Indisputably, the matter relating to recruitment of Assistant
Teachers in Madhya Pradesh is governed by Madhya Pradesh Non-
Gazetted Class III Education Service (Non-Collegiate Service)
Recruitment and Promotion Rules, 1973 (hereinafter called and referred
to for the sake of brevity as "said Rules"). In terms of the said Rules, the B
method of recruitment was to be by holding competitive examination
., followed by interview. With a view to expedite implementation of the
project having regard to the fact that the same was to be implemented
within the Eighth Plan period, Rule 10(3) of the Recruitment Rules was
amended on or about 10.05.1993 by adding a proviso thereto which C
reads, thus:
"Provided that in any specific circumstance of the State
Government may, in consultation with the General Administrative
Department prescribe the criteria and procedure for selection of ·D
candidates."
4. For the aforementioned purpose, Selection Committees were
constituted for recruitment of Assistant Teachers in each and every district.
Selections were to be made district-wise by inviting applications from the
Employment Exchanges. The Selection Committee was to prepare a panel E
upon considering the eligibility criteria of the candidates concerned as also
upon taking viva voce list.
5. Recruitment process was started in the State on or about
5.08.1993. Selection process was to be started from 13.08.1993 and F
was to be completed within a period of about one month, viz., 13 .08.1993
to 15. 09 .1993. Appointments were to be made in phases.
In these appeals, we are concerned with recruitment of 64 Assistant
Teachers in Phase 3 and 66 Assistant Teachers in Phase 4.
G
As per the recruitment process, interviews were held in Damoh
District for selection of Assistant Teachers from 1.09.1993 to 9.09.1993.
Questioning, however, the validity of the amendment to Rule 10(3) of the
Recruitment Rules, one 'Zila Mansevi Shikshak Sangh' filed an original
application before the Administrative Tribunal. The said application was H
956 . SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 10 S.C.R.

A marked as Application No. 2395 of 1993. An interim order was passed
therein directing that no appointment should be made to the persons
selected for the appointment as Assistant Teachers in terms of the said
Scheme. When the Select List for Assistant Teachers for Damoh District
was under preparation, a telephonic information was received by the
B appropriate authority as regards the interim order passed by the Tribunal.
Further selection process was directed to be stayed pursuant thereto. No
Select List, therefore, was prepared by the District Selection Committee.
No tabulation was done in respect of the interviews of the candidates and ·y
in absence of preparation of tabulation, the Select List could not have
c been and was not prepared.
By an order dated 18.03.1994 the State Administrative Tribunal
declared the said amendment to be illegal being violative of Articles 14
and 16 of the Constitution of India. Aggrieved thereby, the State
Government and other aggrieved candidates filed Special Leave Petitions
D before this Court and by an order dated 04.01.1995, this Court stayed
the said order of the Tribunal. It is not in dispute that on 24.04.1995 the
State Government issued offers of appointments in favour of the candidates
who had been selected in the year 1993 except those who had appeared
in the interview before the Selection Committee of the Damoh District.
E By an order dated 1.12.1997 this Court in Arun Tewari v. Zila Mansevi
Shikshak Sangh, [1998] 2 SCC 332, upheld the selection process.

6. 39 Assistant Teachers filed an original application before the
Tribunal for a direction upon the State to issue appointment letters to the J
F selected candidates. Before the Tribunal, Appellant - State specifically
raised the plea that the matter relating to recruitment of Assistant Teachers
has since been entrusted to Janpad Panchayats under the Madhya Pradesh
Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam, in the existing vacancies of the Assistant
Teachers which were since then known as Samvida Shala Shikshak Varg
- III and Shiksha Karmi Varg - III, and teachers were appointed by the
G Janpad Panchayats in December, 1995. The said application was allowed )-
by an order dated 19.05.1999 stating:
"In view of the above discussion it is directed that the aborted
process of selection in Damoh District be now completed and the
H select list be drawn out as per the laid down procedure and those
I

"I
I STATEv. SANJAYKUMARPATHAK[SINHA,J.] 957

placed on the select list be offered appointment after following the A
-f usual fonnalities for appointments under the Government The entire
exercise of drawing out the select list and issue of appointment
orders shall be completed within two months of the date of thi$
order. Respondents No. 3 and 4 that is Collector and Deputy
Director Education Damoh shall be personally responsible for B
complying with these directions."
The Chairman of the Tribunal, however, passed a separate order
observing that the defence taken by the State that there was no vacancy
for recruitment to the post of Assistant Teacher was not acceptable. The
Administrative Member of the Tribunal expressed his views separately. C
7. By reason of the impugned judgment, the High Court has
dismissed the writ petition filed by the appellant. It, however, did not go
into the merit of the matter and based its decision on the purported
'peculiarity of the case'. It although took into consideration the legal D
question that even if a person's name appears in the Select List, ordinarily,
no right accrues but proceeded to opine:
"10. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties, we think that
the present cases have their own peculiarity. It is well settled in
law that if the name appears in the select list ordinarily no right E
accrues. There may be cases which would depend on different facts
and circumstances of the case. We do not intend to dilate on that
score because of the pertaining factual matrix which are enumerated
-
\..
hereunder:
F
(a) The State Government had taken steps to appoint 11000
Assistant Teachers in the entire undivided Madhya Pradesh and
appointments have been made in number of districts before the
Tribunal granted stay.
(b) After the final order was passed by the Tribunal, the matter G
travelled to Apex Court and, thereafter, their Lordships passed the
order of stay. The State Government promptly filled up the posts
in respect of other districts.
(c) The selection process in the districts ofDamoh lingered and, H
_y
I

958 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 10 S.C.R. \

A therefore, the persons who were in the select list or on the third
phase could not get the benefit.
(d) The persons who have rendered services for a brief period long
back because of the direction given by the Tribunal to consider
their cases, they have been appointed."
B
The High Court restricted the matter relating to grant of relief only
to the case of the original applications directing:
"(a) The State Government shall prepare a list of candidates who
had approached the Tribunal in the original applications in the order
c of merit as per the select list.
(b) The State Government shall offer them appointments in respect
of Assistant Teachers or equivalent posts within a reasonable period
of time.
D
(c) The State shall start taking action within a period of three months
from today so that bonafide of the State would be demonstrative.
(d) The candidates who have not approached the Tribunal could
not be benefited by this order for the simple reason that he who is
E not vigilant loses his right"
8. Ms. Vibha Datta Makhija, learned counsel appearing on behalf
of the appellant, would submit that the High Court committed a manifest
error in passing the impugned judgment insofar as it failed to take into
consideration:
F
(i) the respondents did not have any legal right to be appointed:
(ii) there exists a distinction between two categories of candidates,
viz., those in whose favour letters of appointments had been issued
but had to be cancelled in view of the order of the Tribunal and
G the respondents herein whose names did not figure in the Select
List at all.
(iii) writ petition should not have been allowed on equity alone as
it must flow from a legal right.
H
j STATEv. SANJAYKUMARPATHAK[SINHA,J.] 959

9. Mr. Prakash Shrivastava, learned counsel appearing on behalf of A
the respondents, on the other hand, would submit that the Tribunal and
consequently the High Court having passed the impugned judgments in
the peculiar fact situation obtaining therein, the matter must be considered
in the backdrop of the following facts:
B
(i) the Recruitment Rules had been struck down;
(ii) a stay was operating upto 4.01.1995.
(iii) the State had issued instructions directing appointment of all
the successful candidates as a result whereof the impugned
judgment had been passed. C
10. Respondents do not dispute before us that the tabulation of the
marks obtained by them was not finalized. For the purpose of selection,
the marks allotted to each of the candidates should be known to the
members of the Selection Committee. Members of the Selection D
·~ Committee before preparing the Select List were entitled to undergo a
consultative process so as to enable them to arrive at a consensus in regard
to the candidates who should be appointed. As the tabulation process
itself was not completed, the question of preparing any Select List also
~~~ E
11. It is true that after the order of stay was vacated by this Court
in Arun Tewari (supra), the State issued a circular letter dated 24.04.1995
which reads as under:
"On the above subject vide referred departmental memo, it is F .
directed that of all those teachers whose services were terminated
should be reinstated in compliance with the judgment of the Hon'ble
Court. In connection with this as per reconsidered decision taken
after obtaining opinion of the Advocate General appointment should
be given to all such persons who have been selected legally under G
operation black board, in accordance with the rules and after
compliance of all the formalities. Remaining condition shall remain
unchanged."

12. Recruitment to the posts of Assistant Teacher is governed by
H
960 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 10 S.C.R.

A statutory rules. Rule 10 of the Rules was amended only for the purpose
of implementation of the Scheme of the Central Government "Operation
Black Board". It is trite law that while the r~ruitment process is governed
by the Rules, the same should be scrupulously complied with. The State,
having regard to the ultimate decision rendered by this Court, was bound
B to reinstate those whose services had been terminated and appoint those
who had been selected legally. The condition of selection was to remain
unchanged. One of the conditions for recn.itment was, therefore, selection
of the candidates.
13. The Tribunal as also the High Court did not call for the
C documents pertaining to the selection process. No finding of fact has been
arrived at that the respondents herein were bound to be selected and
consequently appointed. Whether all of them had fared better than the
other candidates who had not approached the Tribunal had not been
found. As the selection process itself was not complete, there was nothing
D before the Tribunal as also the High Court to indicate that they had
acquired legal right of any kind whatsoever. Even where, it is trite, the
names of the persons appeared in the selection list; the same by itself
would not give rise to a legal right unless the action on the part of the
State is found to be unfair, unreasonable or ma/a fide. The State, thus,
E subject to acting bona fide as also complying with the principles laid down
in Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, is entitled to take a
decision not to employ any selected candidate even from amongst the
Select List. Furthermore, we have noticed hereinbefore, that selections
were made in 4 phases. It is not the contention of the respondents that :J
F the State Government acted malafide. The dispute, as noticed
hereinbefore related to appointment in Phase 3 and Phase 4 only.
14. If the action of the State was not bonajide and/ or otherwise
unfair, in our opinion, the Tribunal and consequently the High Court could
exercise their jurisdiction to issue a writ of or in the nature of Mandamus,
G as has been sought to be done, but neither any such plea was raised nor
the same was otherwise found to be existing.
15. It is well-known that even selected candidates do not have legal
right in this behalf. [See Shankarasan Dash v. Union ofIndia, [ 1991]
H 2 SCR 567, Asha Kaul (Mrs.) and Anr. v. State of Jammu and
1

'f
STATEv. SANJAYKUMARPATHAK[SINHA,J.] 961

Kashmir and Ors., [1993] 2 SCC 577] A
16. In K Jayamohan v. State ofKera/a andAnr., [1997] 5 SCC
170, this court held:
"5. It is settled legal position that merely because a candidate is
selected and kept in the waiting list, he does not acquire any B
absolute right for appointment. It is open to the Government to
make the appointment or not. Even ifthere is any vacancy, it is
not incumbent upon the Government to fill up the same. But the
appointing authority must give reasonable explanation for non-
appointment. Equally, the Public Service Commission/recruitment c
agency shall prepare waiting list only to the extent of anticipated
vacancies. In view of the above settled legal position, no error is
found in the judgment of the High Court warranting interference."
[See also Munna Roy v. Union ofIndia and Ors., [2000] 9 SCC
-~ 283] D

17. In All India SC & ST Employees' Association and Anr. v. A.
Arthur Jeen and Ors., [2001] 6 SCC 380, it was opined:
"10. Merely because the names of the candidates were included
in the panel indicating their provisional selection, they did not E
acquire any indefeasible right for appointment even against the
existing vacancies and the State is under no legal duty to fill up all
or any of the vacancies as laid down by the Constitution Bench of
this Court, after referring to earlier cases in Shankarsan Dash v.
Union of India. Para 7 of the said judgment reads thus :- F
"It is not correct to say that if a number of vacancies are notified
for appointment and adequate number of candidates are found fit,
. the successful candidates acquire an indefeasible right to be
, appointed which cannot be legitimately denied. Ordinarily the G
notification merely amounts to an invitation to qualified candidates
to apply for recruitment and on their selection they do not acquire
any right to the post. Unless the relevant recruitment rules so
indicate, the State is under no legal duty to fill up all or any of the
vacancies. However, it does not mean that the State has the licence H
,-\'
962 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 10 S.C.R. '

A of acting in an arbitrary manner. The decision not to fill up the
vacancies has to be taken bona fide for appropriate reasons. And
if the vacancies or any of them are filled up, the State is bound to
respect the comparative merit of the candidates, as reflected at the
recruitment test, and no discrimination can be permitted. This
B correct position has been consistently· followed by this Court, and
we do not find any discordant note in the decisions in State of
Haryana v. Subhash Chander Marwaha, Neelima Shangla v.
State of Haryana or Jatendra Kumar v. State of Punjab."
C 18. The principles laid down in the aforementioned cases have been
upheld by this Court in Food Corporation ofIndia and Ors. v. Bhanu
Lodh and Ors., [2005] 3 SCC 618 stating:
."14. Merely because vacancies are notified, the State is not obliged
to fill up all the vacancies unless there is some provision to the
D contrary in the applicable rules. However, there is no doubt that
the decision not to fill up the vacancies, has to be taken bona fide
and must pass the test of reasonableness so as not to fail on the
touchstone of Article 14 of the Constitution. Again, if the vacaricies
are proposed to be filled, 'then the State is obliged to fill them in
E accordance with merit from the list of the selected candidates.
Whether to fill up or not to fill up a post, is a policy decision, and
unless it is infected with the vice of arbitrariness, there is no scope
for interference in judicial review... "
19. In Pitta Naveen Kumar and Ors. v. Raja Narasaiah Zangiti
F and Ors., [2006] 10 SCC 261, this Court observed:
'The legal position obtaining in this behalf is not in dispute. A
candidate does not have any legal right to be appointed. He in terms
of Article 16 of the Constitution of India has only a right to be
G considered therefor. Consideration of the case of an individual
candidate although ordinarily is required to be made in terms of
the extant rules but strict adherence thereto would be necessary
in a case where the rules operate only to the disadvantage of the
candidates concerned and not otherwise ... "
H
'!r STATEv. SANJAYKUMARPATHAK[SINHA,J.] 963

-{
A
In a situation of this nature, no appointment could be made by the
State in absence of the Select List. The State could not substitute itself
for the Selection Committee.
20. Furthermore, ordinarily, the writ court should not, in absence of
any legal right, act on the basis of sympathy alone. B
In Ramakrishna Kamat and Ors. v. State ofKarnataka and Ors.,
[2003] 3 sec 374 albeit in the light of right of regularization in service,
this Court opined:
" ... It is clear from the order of the learned single Judge and c
looking to the very directions given a very sympathetic view was
taken. We do not find it either just or proper to show any further
sympathy in the given facts and circumstances of the case. While
being sympathetic to the persons who come before the court the
courts cannot at the same time be unsympathetic to the large D
..\ number of eligible persons waiting for a long time in a long (SIC)
seeking employment. .. "
[See also Maruti Udyod Ltd V. Ram Lal and Ors., [2005] 2 sec
638, State of Bihar & Ors. v. Amrendra Kumar Mishra, (2006) 9
SCALE 549, Regional Manager, SB!v. Mahatma Mishra. (2006) 11 E
SCALE 258 and State of Karnataka v. Ameerbi & Ors., (2006) 13
SCALE319]
\. 21. For the reasons aforementioned, the impugned judgment cannot
be sustained which is set aside accordingly. However, keeping in view F
the peculiar facts and circumstances of-the I
case, we direct that the
respondents shall be entitled to relaxation of age in the event they intend
to take part in the next selection process. The State is also directed to
pay a sum of Rs. I 0,000/- each to the respondents concerned. The
appeals are allowed. No costs. G
l
K.K.T. Appeals allowed.