Ramaswami, J.

1. In this case the petitioner has obtained a rule from the High Court calling upon the respondents to show cause why a writ in the nature of mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution should not be issued commanding the respondents not to reduce the rank of the petitioner to that of an Inspector of the Life Insurance Corporation of India. Cause has been shown by the Advocate General on behalf of the respondents to whom notice of the rule was ordered to be given.

2. The petitioner, Sri K. D. Banerji, was working as a Divisional Superintendent of the National insurance Company Limited, from the 1st of January, 1955. In that post he was getting a sum of Rs. 350.00 Per month as salary, Rs. 80/-as dearness allowance and Rs. 170.00 per month as motor-car allowance. On the 19th January, 1956, the Life Insurance (Emergency Commissions) Ordinance, 1956, was passed, by which all life insurance business in India was nationalised with effect from the 20th January, 1956.

After the passing of the Ordinance, the petitioner continued in his post of Divisional Superintendent up to the 1st of September, 1956. On that date the Life Insurance Corporation of India was constit