ASHOK KR. SHARMA vs CHANDER SHEKHAR

The Supreme Court addressed the legality of the selection process for the post of Junior Engineer in Jammu and Kashmir, where 33 candidates were interviewed despite not meeting the qualification deadline of July 15, 1982, as per the advertisement. The Court upheld the Division Bench's decision that while these candidates could not have been allowed to interview due to lack of qualifications, they should be treated as qualified for the purpose of seniority. The Court emphasized the importance of adhering to prescribed qualifications in public service appointments, ultimately affirming the lower court's ruling without setting aside the appointments.