Judgement

JAGANMOHAN REDDY, J. :- Six petitioners, of whom the 4th petitioner has since died, challenge the decision of the first respondent, the Union of India, fixing the principles of seniority of members of the Customs and Central Excise Service Class I as if the combined Service came into existence on April 1, 1959. instead of August 15, 1959 - the date on which the Presidential Resolution dated August 12, 1959 said that the combined Service would come into effect Petitioners 2,3,4,& 6 were appointed as probationary Superintendents of Central Excise Class I in the Central Excise Service Class I with effect from July 13, 1959 on the result of the combined competitive examination held by the second respondent, the Union Public Service Commission, in 1958: (vide notification of the Government of India (Central Excise Establishment) dated August 4, 1959). Similarly, petitioners 1 & 5 were appointed on the same date namely from July 13, 1959, as probationary Assistant Collectors of Customs in the Indian Customs Service Class I on the result of the combined competitive examination held by the second respondent in 1958 : (vide notification of the Government of India (Customs establish