JUDGMENT

M.S. Sonak, J. - Rule. The Rule is made returnable immediately at the request and with the consent of the learned counsel for the parties.

2. Heard Mr Zaveri for the petitioners and Mr D. Pangam, learned Advocate General who appears along with Mr Deep Shirodkar, learned Additional Government Advocate for the respondent-state. Mr S. D. Lotlikar learned Senior Advocate appears along with Mr Shivan Desai for respondents no.3, 4 and 5 and Mr A. D. Bhobe, along with Ms A. Fernandes, appears for the Intervenors.

3. The petitioners, Section Officers of this Court, seek a Writ of Mandamus upon the respondents to provide pay parity and benefits in terms of Judgment and Order delivered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court at Bombay in Mahendra Rupwate vs. State of Maharashtra & Ors. (Writ Petition No.1013/2015) decided on 09.08.2016, together with all consequential benefits.

4. The matter was adjourned from time to time to see if the same could be sorted out. Ultimately, the learned Advocate General pointed out that certain meetings were held and decisions arrived at. The learned Advocate General placed on record the order dated 04.01.2023 issued by the State Government extending some