High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petitions dismissed.

Sreedevi P.R. and others v. Cochin Devaswom Board and others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C). Nos. 30982/2018; 31923/2018; 32140/2018

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • P. V. ASHA
Judgment Date
2019-01-22
Court Decision / Holding
Writ petitions dismissed.
Final Disposition
Writ petitions dismissed.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Sreedevi P.R.
  • Prasad K.V.
  • Arun V.A.
  • Sreeram H.
  • Ajith S. Warrier
  • Satheedevi T.P.
  • Vishnu Unnikrishnan
  • Dhanya V.
  • Ranjith P.R.
  • Gireesh G.
  • Sunil Kumar K.S.
  • Vineeth Venugopal
  • Raveev Sasi
  • Ranjith.K.C.
  • S.Geetha Radhakrishnan
  • Rohini.P.S Sivaganga
  • Sujatha
  • Sujith.S
  • Rahul Murali
  • Ratheesh.K.R
  • Rahesh.T.R
  • Raveednran.P.M
  • Murali.J
  • Jayesh.P.T
  • Prakash.M
  • Sreejith.J
  • Sujith.P
  • Sumith P

Respondents

  • Cochin Devaswom Board
  • The Special Devaswom Commissioner, Cochin Devaswom Board
  • The Secretary, Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board
  • State of Kerala represented by Secretary to Devasswom, Revenue Department
  • State of Kerala (as applicable in other petitions)
  • The Assistant Commissioner, Cochin Devaswom Board, Tripunithura Group of Devaswoms
  • The Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (as applicable)

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • SMT.K.A.SANJEETHA BALU TOM CHERUVALLY
  • • SRI.K.MOHANAKANNAN
  • • SMT.A.R.PRAVITHA
  • • SMT.SREEDEVI KYLASANATH
  • • SRI.ACHUTH KYLAS
  • • SRI.DEAGO JOHN K
  • • SRI.R.MAHESH MENON

Counsels for Respondents

  • • SRI.K.P.SUDHEER, SC, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD
  • • SRI.G.BIJU, SC, KERALA DEVASWOM RECRUITMENT BOARD
  • • SRI.DILJITH K. MANOHAR, SC, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD

Case Synopsis & Summary

These writ petitions challenge the selection and short-listing process conducted by the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) for various posts in temples under the Cochin Devaswom Board. The petitioners claim that representations submitted before the recruitment were not given due consideration and challenge the relevance of certain examination questions to the duties of the posts (notably Kazhakam). They allege that Exts. P20 and P21 show actions taken in 2018 under the newer recruitment regime, even though recruitment had to be carried out by the KDRB after the 2015 Act; they also seek relief on age-relaxation and provisional/permanent appointment issues. The respondents counter that, post-2015, recruitment to regular posts is to be conducted by the KDRB, with a notification issued on 21.03.2018 and a short-listed list published after an objective examination. They argue that the petitioners are challenging a completed process, and that some petitions are premature since notification for certain posts had not yet been issued. The court notes a pattern of belated challenge after short-list publication and, relying on judgments including Sarojakumari v. R. Helen Thilakom, Madan Lal v. State of J&K, and G. Sarana v. University of Lucknow, holds that petitioners cannot challenge the selection after participating without objection and that the syllabus/public notices were properly disclosed. Accordingly, all these petitions are dismissed, with emphasis on the finality of recruitment actions and application of the 2015 Act framework.

Provisions of Law Cited

Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board Act, 2015

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Principle of finality of recruitment/administrative action: challenge to selection after participation is barred
  • Petitioners cannot turn round and challenge selection after participating without timely objection; reliance on earlier precedents such as Sarojakumari v. R. Helen Thilakom, Madan Lal v. State of J&K, and G. Sarana v. University of Lucknow

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend that representations submitted prior to recruitment must be considered; some posts were not notified at the time of filing; they challenge the relevance of the examination questions to specific duties (e.g., Kazhakam). They point to Exts.P20 and P21 showing actions in 2018 under the Devaswom Board regime and seek consideration for regular appointments, age-relaxation/referral for provisional service, and grace marks; they emphasize lack of timely objection and the need for fair consideration of representations before short-listing and appointment. They also challenge the process as inconsistent with the 2015 Act and the 21.03.2018 notification.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents argue that after the 2015 Act, recruitment to regular posts is by the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board, with a published syllabus and short-listed list after an objective exam; the petitioners’ challenges are belated and premature since the short-listing followed published notices and no prior objection was raised; the petitions rely on post-hoc grievances and the Board’s actions were consistent with the Division Bench’s 2014 judgment and subsequent orders; therefore relief should be denied and petitions dismissed.

Cited Precedents (3)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Sarojakumari v. R. Helen Thilakom(2017) 9 SCC 478PositiveCited as authority for the proposition that belated challenges to recruitment after participation are not permitted; used to justify dismissal of petitions.
Madan Lal v. State of J & K(1995) 3 SCC 486PositiveCited in support of the principle regarding challenge to selection; cited as precedent aligning with finality of recruitment decisions.
G. Sarana v. University of Lucknow(1976) 3 SCC 585PositiveCited for doctrinal support on recruitment/eligibility principles relevant to the petitions.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE P.V.ASHA** ## **TUESDAY ,THE 22ND DAY OF JANUARY 2019 / 2ND MAGHA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 30982 of 2018** ## **PETITIONER/S:** - **1 SREEDEVI P.R AGED 36 YEARS W/O KESAVAN M.V, MOORIYIL PUSHPAKAM, VALLACHIRA P.O, URAKAM 680562** - **2 PRASAD K.V., AGED 26 YEARS S/O.SASIDHARAN.K., KUTTANKULANGARA WARRIAM, P.O. THRIKKUR-680 306** - **3 ARUN V.A., AGED 26 YEARS S/O. ACHUTHAN PISHARADI, SIVAPADAM HOUSE, IRANIKKULAM P.O., MALA-680 734** - **4 SREERAM H., AGED 33 YEARS S/O. HARIHARAN.R., SHAROTH MADAM,T.K.S.PURAM,KODUNGALUR-680 664** - **5 AJITH S.WARRIER AGED 25 YEARS S/O. SREEDHARAN, THALORE WARRIUM HOUSE, THALORE P.O., THRISSUR-680 306** - **6 SATHEEDEVI T.P., AGED 44 YEARS W/O. MANIKANDAN, KAVALLUR PISHARAM,MUTTITHADI P.O., KALLUR-680 317** - **7 VISHNU UNNIKRISHNAN AGED 20 YEARS** - **S/O.UNNIKRISHNAN, KUTTANKULANGARA WARRIAM HOUSE, P.O.THRIKKUR, MUKUNDAPURAM** - **8 DHANYA V., AGED 37 YEARS** **W/O. SURESH.T., GAYATHRY, K.K.LANE, PUKUNNAM, THRIUSSUR-680 002** |**9**|**RANJITH P.R.,**| |---|---| ||**AGED 39 YEARS**| ||**S/O.RAMAN NAMBISSAN, PALLIMANJALIL PUZHPAKAM,**| ||**EDATHIRUTHY P.O., EDATHIRUTHY-680 703**| |**10**|**GIREESH G.,**| ||**AGED 32 YEARS**| ||**S/O CHIDAMBARAN NAIR, VADAKKER KEERIKKATTIL,**| ||**AYAMKUDY P.O., AYAMKUDY-686 613, KOTTAYAM**| **BY ADVS. SMT.K.A.SANJEETHA BALU TOM CHERUVALLY** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** |**1**|**COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD**| |---|---| ||**REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY ,ROUND NORTH, THRISSUR**| |**2**|**THE COMMISSIONER**| ||**COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR-680 001**| |**3**|**THE SECRETARY**| ||**KERALA DEVASWOM RECRUITMENT BOARD, 2ND FLOOR,**| ||**DEVASWOM BUILDING, M.G.ROAD, OPP.GOVERNMENT**| ||**AYURVEDA COLLEGE, THIRUVNANANTHAPURAM-695001**| |**4**|**STATE OF KERALA**| ||**REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY TO DEVASWOM, REVENUE**| ||**DEPARTMENT, THIRUVNANANTHAPURAM-695001**| ||**BY ADVS.**| ||**SRI.K.P.SUDHEER, SC, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD**| ||**SRI.G.BIJU**| **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22.01.2019, ALONG WITH WP(C).31923/2018, WP(C).32140/2018, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE P.V.ASHA** **TUESDAY ,THE 22ND DAY OF JANUARY 2019 / 2ND MAGHA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 31923 of 2018** ## **PETITIONER/S:** - **1 SUNIL KUMAR K.S. AGED 43 YEARS S/O SUBRAMAYANANKA, KANIYAMPARAMBIL HOUSE, PALLIPARAMBUKAVU ROAD, THRIPUNITHURA , WORKING AS NADAKAVAL, CHAKKAMKULANGARA SIVA TEMPLE, THRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS, THRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT** - **2 VINEETH VENUGOPAL S/O.VENUGOPAL,ATTUPURATHKALAPURAYIL,MURIYAMANGALAM, MAMALA.P.O,WORKING AS SAMBANTHI ELAMKULAM KAVALAKKAL BAHGAVATHI TEMPLE, VYTTILA,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **3 RAVEEV SASI S/O.P.R.SASIKUTTAN,KALARIKKAL KADANAD PO,IKOMBU,KOTTAYAM,WORKING AS VEEKKANCHENDA SREE POORTHANATHREESA TEMPLE,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **4 RANJITH.K.C. S/O.K.CHANDRAN,REMYA VIHAR,MUKKOOTTIL TEMPLE ROAD,POONITHURA,WORKING AS ADICHUTHALI,PALLIPARAMBUKAVU TEMPLE,CHAKKAMKULANGARA DEVASWOM,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **5 S.GEETHA RADHAKRISHNAN S/O.GOPALAKRISHNANUNNI,KRISHNA NIVAS,PONNAD PO, (KAVUNGAL,ALAPPUZHA,WORKING AS KAZHAKAM,PALLIPARAMBUKAVU TEMPLE,CHAKKAMKULANGARA DEVASWOM,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** **6 ROHINI.P.S SIVAGANGA, LBS ROAD,THIRUVAMKULAM,WORKING AS KAZHAKAM,THIRUVAMKULAM SIVA TEMPLE,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** **7 S.SUJATHA** **ANANDA MANDIRAM,SANTHI NAGAR ROAD,KANNANKULANGARA,KANNANKULANGARA SIVA TEMPLE,WORKING AS ADICHUTHALI TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **8 SUJITH.S** **S/.O.SURENDRAN,PALITHRA HOUSE,SHAPPUPADI,SOUTH CHITTOOR,WORKING AS SAMBANDHI,CHERANELLOOR BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE,CHITTOOR KRISHNA SWAMI DEVASWOM,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **9 RAHUL MURALI** **S/O M.P.MURALEEDHARAN,MARATH HOUSE,CHOTTANIKKARA,ERUVELI,WORKING AS SAMBANDHI,CHITTOOR SREEKRISHNA SWAMI TEMPLE,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,TRIPUNITHURA,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** ## **10 RATHEESH.K.R** **S/O.RAJAN,KANNANAMKULATH,CHENDRAPPINNI.P.O,THRISSUR DISTRICT WORKING AS NADASWARAM,CHITTOOR SREEKRISHNA SWAMI TEMPLE,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,TRIPUNITHURA,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** **11 RAHESH.T.R S/O T.G.RAJAGOPAL,THURUTHIPPILLI HOUSE,AYINI TEMPLE ROAD,MARADU P.O,WORKING AS SOPANA SANGEETHAM,POORNATHRAEESWARA TEMPLE,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,TRIPUNITHURA,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** **12 RAVEEDNRAN.P.M S/O.MANI,THANTHANTHURUTHIL HOUSE,NADAMA.P.O,THRIPUNITHURA-682301,WORKING AS PATHRAMTHEPPU,POORNATHRAEESA TEMPLE,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,TRIPUNITHURA,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **13 MURALI.J** - **S/O NARAYANAN EMBRANTHIRI,PALAPPALLY MADOM,PATTOR,THRISSUR,WORKING AS SANTHI,MULAMKUNNATHUKAVU TEMPLE,MULAMKUNNATHKAVU DEVASWOM,THRISSUR GROUP OF TEMPLES.** **14 JAYESH.P.T S/O.THRIVIKRAMAN EMBRANTHIRI,PUNNATHOTTATHIL MADOM,VELAPPAYA,THRISSUR,WORKING AS SANTHI,CHOOLLOOR SIVA TEMPLE,CHOOLLISSERI,NYTHALAKAVU DEVASOM,THRISSUR GROUP OF TEMPLES.** - **15 PRAKASH.M S/O.KRISHNAN EMBRANTHIRI,KRISHNAKRIPA,PALLANCHATHANNOOR,MATHOOR,** **PALAKKAD WORKING AS SANTHI,PALLANCHATHANNOOR KEEZHEDAM,VALAVASSERI SIVA TEMPLE,THKRIVILLWAMALA GROUP OF TEMPLES.** - **16 SREEJITH.J,** - **S/O.MURALI EMBRANTHIRI,POTTOR THRISSUR,WORKING AS SANTHI,SREENARAYANAPURAM** - **VATTAMBALAM,MULAMKUNNATHKAVU,THRISSUR GROUP OF TEMPLES.** **BY ADVS. SRI.K.MOHANAKANNAN SMT.A.R.PRAVITHA** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** - **1 COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD REPRESENTE DBY ITS SECRETARY, SWARAJ ROUND WEST, THRISSUR-680001** - **2 THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD,SWARAJ ROUND WEST,THRISSUR680001.** - **3 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD,TRIPUNITHURA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.** - **4 THE ASSISTANT COMMISISONER, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD,THRISUR GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **5 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD,THIRUVILLWAMALA GROUP OF DEVASWOMS,THIRUVILLWAMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **6 THE SECRETARY KERALA DEVASWOM RECRUITMENT BOARD,2ND FLOOR,M.G.ROAD,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** **BY ADVS.** **SRI.G.BIJU, SC, KERALA DEVASWOM RECRUITMENT BOARD SRI.K.P.SUDHEER, SC, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD** ## **OTHER PRESENT:** **SC NAME IN WPC 32140/18 IS SRI.DILJITH K. MANOHAR ,IN OTHER CASES SC.SRI.K.P.SUDHEER** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22.01.2019, ALONG WITH WP(C).32140/2018, WP(C).30982/2018, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** # **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** # **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE P.V.ASHA** **TUESDAY ,THE 22ND DAY OF JANUARY 2019 / 2ND MAGHA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 32140 of 2018** ## **PETITIONER/S:** **1 SUJITH.P AGED 37 YEARS,.S/O LATE UNNIKRISHNAN K, KIZHAKKEPATTY WARIAM, PERUVANAM PO, CHERPU, THRISSUR DISTRICT - 680561 2 SUMITH P, AGED 29 YEARS, S/O.LATE UNNIKRISHNAN K, KIZHAKKEPATTY WARIAM, PERUVANAM P.O, CHERPU, THRISSUR DISTRICT-680561.** **BY ADVS. SMT.SREEDEVI KYLASANATH SRI.ACHUTH KYLAS SRI.DEAGO JOHN K SRI.R.MAHESH MENON** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** - **1 STATE OF KERALA REP BY THE SECRETARY TO DEVASWOM, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRTARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAMK - 695001** - **2 COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, REP.BY ITS SECRETARY, ROUND NORTH, THRISSUR-680001.** - **3 THE COMMISSIONER, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, ROUND NORTH, THRISSUR680001.** - **4 DEVASWOM RECRUITMENT BOARD, REP.BY ITS SECRETARY, 2ND FLOOR,DEVASOWM BUILDING M.G.ROAD, OPP.GOVERNMENT AYURVEDA COLLEGE, THIRUVANATHAPURAM-695001.** **BY ADVS. SRI.DILJITH K.MANOHAR, SC, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD SRI.G.BIJU, SC, KERALA DEVASWOM RECRUITMENT BOARD** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22.01.2019, ALONG WITH WP(C).30982/2018, WP(C).31923/2018, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 ## **JUDGMENT** All these writ petitions are filed by Temple Employees working in various Temples under the Cochin Devaswom, challenging the rank list as well as the selection process conducted by the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board to various posts. 2. In WP(C) No.31923/2018 some of the petitioners are working in the posts which are not yet notified for recruitment by the Board. At the same time all other persons in these writ petitions submitted applications pursuant to the notification issued by the Recruitment Board and participated in the process of selection. The petitioners are candidates who are either not included in the short list or are included lower down in the list. The petitioners in all these cases are challenging the selection for regular appointments claiming retention in the respective posts. 3. In WP(C) No.31923/2018 all the petitioners have a common claim that their representation submitted even before the selection and appointment is yet to be ## W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 **==> picture [12 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** considered by the Board. They have also claimed that the orders Exts.P20 and P21 produced therein are issued in 2018 despite the fact that recruitment to all those posts were brought under the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board. They are claiming similar appointments in the representation. 4. Respondents 1 and 2-the Devawsom Baord- have filed a counter affidavit in that writ petition stating that the orders Exts.P20 and P21 were passed in terms of the judgment dated 17.02.2014 by the Division Bench of this Court in DBP No.124/2013. Consequent to the commencement of Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board Act, 2015 with effect from 1.3.2014 recruitment to various posts under it, except in the case of hereditary posts is to be made by the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board. The Recruitment Board has issued notification on 21.03.2018 for regular recruitment. 5. The Devaswom Recruitment Board has filed a counter affidavit stating that on the basis of the requisition received from the Special Commissioner of Cochin Devaswom Board, notification was issued on W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 **==> picture [12 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** 21.03.2018 inviting applications for recruitment to various posts; innumerable applications were received for each of the posts. In the notification itself it was stated that candidates with service on provisional/daily wages/contract in the Board would be eligible for relaxation in upper age limit; provision for grace marks are also provided to those with provisional service at the time of finalization of select list; one mark for every completed 3 years of provisional service subject to a maximum of 5 is given to those who attain cut off mark and above. These writ petitions were filed after the short list was published. 6. In WP(C) No.32140/2018 both the petitioners submitted applications for the post of Kazhakam. They are working as Kazhakam in different Temples under the Board from 2012 and 2007 respectively. According to them the questions in Ext.P3 question paper do not have any connection with the duties attached to their post and therefore assessment made by the Board on the basis of answers given against such a question paper is not W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 **==> picture [18 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** all proper and therefore the selection and appointments based on that made by the Board are liable to be interfered with. 7. The Devaswom Recruitment Board has filed a counter affidavit. It is stated that pursuant to the notification 2013 applications were received as against 60 vacancies of Kazhakam notified. In order to limit the number of candidates to be considered for the next stage of selection, the Recruitment Board decided to conduct an objective type screening test of 1 hour and 15 minutes duration with maximum marks as 100. The Board had set syllabus in consonance with the general educational qualifications fixed for the post. It is stated that the syllabus for the examination program was published in the official website of Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board on 28.06.2018 and 09.07.2018 respectively and no complaints were received as against the syllabus. Valuation of the answer sheets were done by OMR scanning machine and a short list containing 303 candidates in the main list and 65 candidates in the supplementary lists of various communities was ## W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 **==> picture [17 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** published on 17.09.2018. It is stated that candidates who scored 54 marks and above were included in the main list. 8. It is seen that even petitioners did not raise any complaint as against such questions except after publication of the short list. It is stated that one of the petitioners is included in the rank list. The petitioners in WP(C) No.30982/2018 have also raised more or less similar contentions. 9. I have already considered similar writ petitions challenging the very same selection filed by the employees occupying the respective posts after the results in the process of selection were published. Even though the petitioners therein had not raised any contentions relating to the question papers, it is seen that these writ petitions are also filed after the short list was published in which petitioners have found either their non inclusion or inclusion at lower down in the list. Therefore as held in the judgment dated 30.10.2018 in W.P.(C) No.35207/2018 and judgment dated 27.11.2018 in W.P(C) No.33184/2018 and W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 **==> picture [18 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** also in the light of the judgments in _**D.**_ _**Sarojakumari v. R. Helen Thilakom**_ **: (2017) 9 SCC** **478;** _**Madan Lal v. State of J & K**_ **: (1995) 3 SCC 486,** _**G. Sarana v. University of Lucknow**_ **: (1976) 3 SCC 585** etc. the petitioners in these writ petitions also cannot be allowed to turn round and challenge the selection after participating in the same without any objection, 10. The fact that the petitioners who are working as Kazhakam have challenged the selection pointing out the questions asked in the test, on the ground that it does not have any connection with duties of Kazhakam, will also not make any difference insofar as these complaints are also not raised except after publication of the short list. 11. Going by the number of candidates who applied and appeared in the written test, it was necessary to short list the candidates, for which written test was necessary. The respondents have explained that the syllabus was already published in the website against W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 **==> picture [18 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** which there was no complaint. Though the educational qualification required is VII[th] standard and petitioners themselves are graduates or those with SSLC or 12[th] standard, it cannot be said that the selection was vitiated on account of the questions pointed out by the petitioners. It is not necessary that only those questions relating to duties attached to the post alone shall be asked in the written/OMR test. 12. Some of the writ petitioners in WP(C) No.31923/2018 have themselves stated that there is no imminent threat of retrenchment in their case as notification is not so far published with respect to their posts. As far as they are concerned the writ petition is premature. Therefore the petitioners do not deserve any relief in these writ petitions. Accordingly all these writ petitions are dismissed. ## **Sd/-** ## **P.V.ASHA** **JUDGE** rkc W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 :14: ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 30982/2018** **PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS: EXHIBIT P1 PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION EXHIBIT P2 PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE SYLLABUS EXHIBIT P3 PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE QUESTION PAPER EXHIBIT P4 PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE OBJECTIVE QUESTION PAPER FOR SANTHIKARS** W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 :15: ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 31923/2018** ## **PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:** **EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED 2810-2011 IN RESPECT OF THE 1ST PETITIONER ISSUED BY THE COICHIN DEVASWOM BOARD EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEGINDS OF THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD DATED 12-4-2012 EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER DATED 9- 10-2013 EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED 7-12017 EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED 12.7.2018 ISSUED BY THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 20-7-2009 OF COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD TO THE 6TH PETITIONER EXHIBIT P7 TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE DEVASWOM DATED 16-1-2013 EXHIBIT P8 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD 27-2-2015 EXHIBIT P9 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER,THRISSUR,DATED 15.10.2015 EXHIBIT P10 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER,DATED 2610-2017 EXHIBIT P11 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER,THRISSUR DATED 12.10.2015** W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 :16: **EXHIBIT P12 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER DATED 1612-2016** - **EXHIBIT P13 TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE DEVASWOM ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,THRISSUR GROUP DATED 3-72018** - **EXHIBIT P14 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEEDINGS OF THE DEVASWOM ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,THRISSUR DATED 30-5-2015** - **EXHIBIT P15 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE DEVASWOM OFFICER DATED 12-6-2018** - **EXHIBIT P16 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD DATED 3-1-2018** - **EXHIBIT P17 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION PUBLISHED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD DATED 213-2018** - **EXHIBIT P18 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONERS AND OTHERS BEFORE THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD DATED 10-3-2018** - **EXHIBIT P19 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27-11-2013 ISSUED BY THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER.** **EXHIBIT P20 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDING NO.M5657/13(2) DT.20.10.18 OF R1 EXT.P21 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDING NO.M5657/1393) DT.20.10.18 OF R1.** W.P.(C) Nos.30982, 31923&32140/2018 :17: ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 32140/2018** **PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:** **EXHIBIT P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE CALL LETTER FOR INTERVIEW FOR 1ST PETITIONER DATED 03.10.2013.** **EXHIBIT P1 A A TRUE COPY OF THE CALL LETTER FOR INTERVIEW FOR 2ND PETITIONER DATED 03.10.2013.** **EXHIBIT P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PARTS OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 21.3.2018 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE QUESTION BOOKLET ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P4 A TRUE COPY OF THE RESULTS DATED 17.9.2018.**