JUDGMENT

D. Raju, J.-Delay condoned.

2. C.A. Nos. 3978-3979 of 1998 have been filed challenging the orders of the Orissa Administrative Tribunal at Bhubaneswar in Misc.Petition (RP) No.17 of 1997 dated 1.3.1997 and O.A. No. 206 of 1989 dated 3.1.1997 by the parties, who were Private Respondents before the Tribunal and the State of Orissa as well as the Director General and I.G. of Police together filed C.A. No. 3980 of 1998 against the order dated 3.1.1997 in O.A. No. 206 of 1989. Heard Mr.Jaideep Gupta, learned Senior Advocate for the appellants, shri. R.K. Mehta, learned counsel for the State of Orissa and DGP appellants in C.A. No.3980 of 1998 and of Mr. P.H. Parekh, learned counsel for some of the private respondents. They reiterated their respective stand taken before the Tribunal. Since the matter has a chequered history, a bird s eye-view of the salient features of the case becomes necessary to be noticed for a proper understanding as well as appreciation of the claims of contesting parties.

3 . The Orissa Police Manual, 1940 contained a provision (Vide Rule 862(b): Vol. I and Appendix 41 of Vol. II) that the Assistant in the office of the IG of Police since re-designated as