Judgment

Sethi, J.-Leave granted.

2. In all these appeals the point of law sought to be determined is regarding the principle governing the determination of seniority of the persons belonging to Mani­pur Police Service governed by Manipur Police Service Rules (hereinafter referred to as “MPS Rules”). It has to be determined as to whether or not the police officers belonging to the service who had continuous, uninterrupted, meritorious officiating service are entitled to the benefit to be counted the same towards their seniority. The ambit and scope of the judgment of this Court in Union of India & Anr. v. Harish Chander Bhatia & Ors.1 , needs also to be ascertained. The rival contentions are required to be adjudicated on comparative study of the Delhi & Andaman & Nicobar lsland Police Service Rules, 1971 (hereinafter referred to as “DANI Rules”) and the MPS Rules.

3. Brief facts of the case, as extracted from SLP (C) No. 18221/98 filed by Shri L.Chandrakishore Singh are that the appellant herein joined the Manipur Police as Sub-inspector on the recommendation of the Manipur Public Service Commission and was confirmed to the post on 16.6.1976. Vide order No. 13(1)/9/79-H(PT) dated