Judgment

SEN, J. :- In this appeal, by special leave, the question for consideration is whether there was denial of "fair and equitable treatment" within the meaning of sub-sec. (5) of S. 115 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (hereinafter called the Act) in the matter of determination of relative seniority and equation of posts as between the Asstt. Sales Tax officer (abbreviated as ASTOs) from the former States of Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad and Sales Tax Inspectors (abbreviated as STIs) from the former State of Bombay, who were allocated to the new State of Bombay, and their right to promotion to the posts of Sales Tax officers (abbreviated as STOs) Grade III.

2. The High Court by its judgment, on a writ petition filed by respondents I to 5, who were STIs of the State of Bombay and passed the prescribed departmental examination for promotion as STOs Gr. III, has struck down the various resolutions and orders passed by the State Government from time to time relating to integration of services of these officers under sub-section (7) of S. 115 of the Act, in compliance with the directives of the Central Government issued under sub-section (5) of S. 115 of the Act. The main ques