Judgment

DESAI, J. :- Appellant A. Janardhana filed Writ Petition No. 4293 of 1979 questioning the validity and legality of the revised seniority list Ex. D circulated with the letter dated June 14, 1974 to which the revised seniority list Ex. C was annexed and as a consequence to cancel the panel of promotion dated January 13, 1975, drawn-up in respect of 102 officers. A mandamus was sought directing the respondents to give effect to the 1963. Seniority List drawn-up on the principle of length of service continuous officiation as set out in the notification memorandum dated March 11, 1965. A cognate Writ Petition No. 4273 of 1979, by one Manjunatha was also heard and disposed of by the Court along with the writ petition filed by the appellant.

2. The factual matrix in juxtaposition with the relevant rules may be set out in details because the very narration of chronology of events would illumine the contours of controversy.

3. Appellant joined service as Supervisor in the year 53 in what is styled as Military Engineering Services (MES for short). He came to be promoted as Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) in 1962. In the seniority-list of AEE drawn up in the year 1963 the appellant