Judgement

VAIDIALINGAM, J.: In both these writ petitions, under Article 32 of the Constitution, the petitioners seek to have quashed, certain orders passed by the 2nd respondent and, in particular, the order dated June 16, 1967, reverting them, as Upper Division Clerks, with effect from June 9, 1967. The Union of India, through the Chairman, Railway Board, and the Secretary, Railway Board are respondents 1 and 2, respectively, in these proceedings. The other respondents are officers, working under the 2nd respondent, who, according to the petitioners, have been given preferential treatment by way of promotion, under the orders, impugned, in these proceedings.

2. At the outset, it may be stated, that the various orders, passed by the 2nd respondent, referred to, by both the petitioners, are one and the same, and therefore, we shall refer to those proceedings, in accordance with the annexure number, given to them, in Writ Petition No. 96 of 1967. Wherever necessary, we shall advert to any separate order, that has been referred to by the petitioner, in Writ Petition No. 165 of 1967.

3. According to the petitioner in Writ Petition No. 96 of 1967, he joined service, on July 16, 1955, as Lo