V. Ramasubramanian, J.

All these 5 writ petitions primarily challenge a common order passed by the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, in a batch of 3 original applications and connected miscellaneous applications filed by the Deputy Executive Engineers (DEEs) working in the Irrigation and Command Area Development Department. The writ petitions also challenge 4 consequential orders passed by the official respondents on 12-11-2015, 13-11-2015, 2-12-2015 and 15-12-2015 cancelling the in-charge arrangements in superior posts and revising the seniority lists.

2. We have heard M/s. M. Surender Rao, K.G Krishna Murthy, D. Prakash Reddy and D.V. Seetharam Murthy, learned Senior Counsel as well as Mr. M. Ratna Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioners, the learned Government Pleader for Services (Andhra Pradesh) and Mr. P. Balakrishna Murthy, learned counsel appearing for the private respondents.

3. BRIEF FACTS:

(i) A group of 11 DEEs working in the Irrigation and Command Area Development Department, who are the contesting respondents in these writ petitions, f