Essential Qualifications: Statutory rules prescribing specific qualifications cannot be diluted by executive interpretation (Paras 20–22). Equality in Employment: Expanding eligibility suo motu violates Article 16 by excluding similarly situated candidates (Para 26). Necessary Parties: Selectees must be impleaded in challenges to recruitment; non-joinder renders orders non-binding (Paras 17–18).

Non-Joinder: Appellant’s failure to challenge Tribunal’s order promptly forfeited his right (Para 19). Qualification: Statutory rules prevailed; Syrang’s licence current Lascar’s licence (Para 24). Article 142: No grounds for intervention; appointment void ab initio (Para 40). Result: Appeals dismissed (Para 41).

Major Acts and Rules:

• Kerala Inland Vessels Rules, 2010 – Governed issuance of competency certificates (Para 2(c)).

• Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1958 – Rule 3(c) and 10(b) cited in appointment letter (Para 2(f)).

• Special Rules of 1975 for Kerala State Water Transport Subordinate Service (Operating Wing) – Rule 6 mandated "current Lascar’s licence" as essential qualification (Para 20).

• Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 – Original Applications filed under Section 19 (Para 2(g)).

• Constitution of India – Articles 16 (equality in public employment), 142 (extraordinary powers of Supreme Court) (Paras 9, 37).

Question of Law:

• Whether a candidate holding a Syrang’s licence (higher qualification) but lacking a current Lascar’s licence (statutorily prescribed) could be appointed as a Lascar (Para 12).

Facts:

1. Nature of Litigation: Challenge to cancellation of appellant’s appointment as "Boat Lascar" due to ineligibility (Paras 1, 2).

2. Remedy Sought: Appellant sought reinstatement, arguing higher qualification (Syrang’s licence) sufficed (Para 3).

3. Trigger: Tribunal and High Court held appellant ineligible for lacking current Lascar’s licence (Paras 2(l), 14).

4. Procedural History:

   • Appellant appointed during pendency of OAs but not impleaded (Para 2(i)).

   • Tribunal directed recasting of ranked list; appointment cancelled (Paras 2(m), 7).

   • High Court dismissed writ petitions (Para 1).

Issues:

1. Non-Joinder: Whether Tribunal’s order was binding on appellant despite his absence as a respondent (Paras 15–19).

2. Qualification Conflict: Whether Syrang’s licence could substitute Lascar’s licence (Paras 20–28).

3. Article 142: Whether Supreme Court should exercise extraordinary power to grant relief (Paras 37–40).

Submissions/Arguments:

• Appellant:

  • Higher qualification cannot disqualify (Para 3).

  • Non-joinder vitiated Tribunal’s order (Para 5).

  • Cited Parvaiz Ahmed Parry (equivalence of degrees) (Para 4).

• Respondents:

  • Statutory rules strictly required current Lascar’s licence (Para 7).

  • Enlarging zone of consideration violated Article 16 (Para 9).

  • Relied on M. Tripura Sundari Devi (fraud on public) (Para 8).

Subjects: Statutory qualifications, Non-joinder, Void appointment, Article 142, Equality of opportunity.