1. All these writ petitions were heard at length and with consent of parties are being disposed of at this stage itself.

2. These seven writ petitions have been filed at different times by officers of the Bihar Forest Service, a service of the State Government under the Bihar Forest Service Rules 1953 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules), as amended from time to time. Ultimately, the question to be determined by this Court is, as to the dispute regarding inter se seniority of various petitioners and private respondents of the said service because during long pendency of these writ petitions, the Government has, on 02.07.2010, published and notified the final gradation list.

3. The first four writ petitions were filed prior to the publication of the final gradation list and, as such by various applications in view of subsequent events, the final gradation list is now in question. I may indicate that out of the first four writ petitions, two of them virtually became infructuous upon publication of the final gradation list but were not permitted to be withdrawn by this Court as the petitioners were respondents in the last three writ petitions filed later challenging the final