( 1 ) THE Indian Telegraph Rules were amended on 14-2-1983 requiring payment of security deposit of Rs. 10,000 by the telex subscribers. a new rule was added as 505-A for the new subscribers. Rule 505-B was introduced for imposing security deposit on the existing telex subscribers. In these petitions, filed by the existing telex subscribers, the validity of the said security deposit is challenged.

( 2 ) ORIGINALLY the writ petitions were filed when the demand notices for payment of security deposit were served on the petitioners. The telex subscribers were further warned through the said notices that if they would not deposit the security amount within one month it would be presumed that they were not interested in the telex connections and the telex connections would be disconnected without any further notice But no provision of law enabling such an imposition was stated in the notice. After the admission of the writ petitions the time for payment of the security deposit was extended till the end of September, 1983. When the counter-affidavit was filed, a copy of the amended rules, was. produced by the respondents. The writ petitions were thereafter amended so as to chal