Judgment

ORDER :- An application under Article 32 of the Constitution being Writ Petition No. 591 of 1987 has been filed in this Court on behalf of 40 employees working in the Pension Paying Office, Pokhara in Nepal asking for a direction to the Union of India to make the services of the petitioners permanent and for further directions in the matter of payment of allowances and other material benefits as payable to similar employees under the Union Government. Notice was ordered on the application on 14th July, 1987, and two weeks time was allowed to the respondents for filing their counter-affidavit. On 3rd August, 1987, the court directed as follows :-

"Two weeks are allowed to the respondents for filing a counter-affidavit. No further time will be allowed. One week thereafter is allowed for filing rejoinder. Put up this matter after three weeks. Meanwhile, status quo as on today shall be maintained."

(underlining is ours).

On 7th August, 1987, the Court made the following further order :-

"Issue notice returnable on August 14, 1987. Mr. B. Parathasarathy accepts the notice for Union of India.

Respondent is directed to file counter-affidavit within one week from today.

In the meanwhile