1. THE opposite parties field Title Suit No. 284 of 1976 in the 4th Court of the learned munsif at Alipore against the petitioner, subsequently re-numbered on transfer to the 3rd additional munsif at Alipore as Title Suit No. 86 of 1984, claiming for the following reliefs :-

"(a) A decree declaring that the plaintiffs have been and are Class iii employees;

(b) A decree declaring that the decision caused by the defendants declaring the plaintiffs as Class- IV staff is illegal, improper, in valid and inoperative and must be set aside;

(c) Ad-interim, temporary and permanent injunction restraining the defendant No. 1 and 3 from giving further effect to the decision dated 3. 10. 75 for demotion of the plaintiffs to Class- IV;

(d) Mandatory injunction directing status-quo ante, before the date of taking decision for demotion namely;

(e) Costs;

(f) Such other and further relief/reliefs as the plaintiffs may be found entitled to."

2. THE opposite parties, in paragraph 1 of the plaint, which is quoted below, had stated inter alia, that they were working as "laboratory assistants" under the defendant No. 1 in the suit.

"1. That the plaintiffs who are all moderately educated (Higher s