Judgment

UNTWALIA, J.:- The sole petitioner in this petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India has prayed for a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate directions to the General Manager, Central Railways Bombay - respondent No. 1, to the General Manager, Western Railways -respondent No. 2 and the Union of India, Ministry of Railways, Railway Board, New Delhi - respondent No. 3 to place the petitioner as an Executive Engineer above Shri C. S. Patankar - respondent No. 4 for the purposes of seniority, pay, grade, arrears of pay and further promotions to higher grades and posts and also for a Writ of Mandamus for placing the petitioner in the grade of Rs. 450-575 in the post of Inspector of Works from 1-4-1958 for all purposes. The petition has been resisted by respondent No. 1 on whose behalf a counter-affidavit has also been filed. The petitioner has filed an affidavit in reply.

2. As we proceed to state the facts of the case, it would be clear that this writ petition has got to fail on the ground of delay, laches of the petitioner, his claim being stale and barred by res judicata.

3. The petitioner was appointed in the year 1947 as Inspector of Works in the grade of Rs.