( 1 ) THIS petition raises important questions of law pertaining to the seniority of University Professors coming from different source. Questions involved are (1) whether petitioners, who were directly appointed as Professors in the Department of Education, by open selection, for the projects under the Centrally sponsored scheme are not the employees of University of Delhi, hence have no locus standi to challenge the appointment of respondent No. 2. (2) Whether the seniority of the professors appointed under the Merit Promotion Scheme can be at par with the Professors appointed against regular cadre in the University, alternatively can merit promotion be reckoned at par for seniority purposes with persons selected in open selection as Professors? (3) Whether University can give retrospective seniority or deemed seniority under its Act, rules, Statute and Ordinance.

( 2 ) SO far as the question of locus standi is concerned, respondent s argument has been that the petitioners were not appointed by the University of Delhi for its Education Department. They were in fact appointed by Delhi State Government for its project sponsored by the Central Government. This was mad