JUDGMENT:— Special Leave granted.

After hearing learned counsels for both the parties and considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we find that the findings arrived at by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, are not in accordance with law. We are unable to uphold the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal, New Delhi for the reasons given hereinunder:-

(a) The appellants were appointed in 1971 in class IV posts and they were promoted in the grade of Rs. 192-232 in 1975 and was further promoted to class III post after holding selection tests and finding them suitable for the promoted posts. They have been working all along since their promotion as members of the class III service since 1975. On 26-9-1986 the services of the appellants were regularised and in determining their seniority the entire period of ad hoe service since 1975 was not taken into consideration. It has been alleged that a number of juniors to the appellants were given seniority taking into consideration that their ad hoe period of service and as a result they became senior Clerks and Headclerks. The order of seniority has been challenged before the Central Administrative