In Brief
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation refused to fill 97 vacancies on the post of Blacksmith Grade II for which candidates had been empaneled, citing financial constraints and operational concerns. The High Court issued a mandamus directing appointments. The Supreme Court set aside this order, holding that empanelment in a rank list does not create an indefeasible right to appointment. An employer may lawfully decline to fill vacancies provided the decision rests on valid, non-arbitrary grounds such as genuine financial crunch or operational imbalance. Courts cannot compel appointments or substitute their judgment for the employer's.
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