M.Y. Eqbal, J.

In this writ application the petitioner has prayed for quashing the order dated 11.11.94, issued by the respondent no.2, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Copper Ltd whereby in purported exercise of the terms and conditions contained in Clause 3 of the appointment letter the services of the petitioner were terminated with immediate effect and in lieu of notice a cheque equal to the sum of three months pay was enclosed therewith and further for quashing the office order dated 11.11.94, whereby in compliance of the order of termination the petitioner has been released and was advised to collect the dues.

2. The petitioner's case is that he was appointed as a Mining Engineer in the scale of Rs.1175-1525/- on the basis of appointment letter dated 16.9.72 issued by the General Manager of the Indian Copper Ltd. On 16.1.89 the office order was issued under the seal and signature of respondent no.2, whereby Rule 10(17) of the National Mineral Development Corporation's Regulations as adopted by Hindustan Copper Ltd. was modified and it was inter alia laid down that for purposes of premature retirement, an employee shall retire from the services of the company on