Judgment

BHAGWATI, J.:- This appeal, on a certificate of fitness granted under Article 133 (1) (c) of the Constitution, is directed against a judgment of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana dismissing a petition filed by the appellant under Article 226 of the Constitution. The question which arises for consideration in this appeal is a narrow one, but in order to decide it, it is. necessary to state a few facts giving rise to the appeal.

2. The appellant was an officer in the State Police Service in the erstwhile State of Patiala and East Punjab States Union and he was appointed to the Indian Police Service with effect from 8th December, 1952. He was promoted to the senior time scale of the Indian Police Service with effect from 6th March, 1955 and subsequently confirmed in that time scale with effect from 8th March, 1956. He was thus a confirmed officer in the Senior Time Scale of the Indian Police Service on 1st November, 1958 when, by reason of the provisions of the States Reorganisation Act, l956, the State of Patiala and East Punjab States Union merged in the new State of Punjab to form a larger State. On the formation of the new State of Punjab, a combined gradation list of of