1. These two Original Petitions arise out of the same facts, and they seek a common relief. The petitioner in O. P. No. 1211 is a first Grade Professor of Zoology in the University College, Trivandrum; and the petitioner in O. P. No. 1792 is a First Grade Professor of Chemistry in Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. Both of them are in the service of the State of Kerala. At the time of filing O. P. 1211, the petitioner in this Original Petition was the senior-most in that Grade. According to the petitioner in O. P. No 1792, there has been a subsequent correction in the seniority list of the First Grade Professors, as a result of which he became the seniormost. It is not clear whether there is a controversy between them regarding seniority. However, that question does not arise in these cases. The respondents in both the cases are the same. Arguments were advanced before me only in O. P. No. 1792 of 1967; and it was agreed at the hearing that O. P. No. 1211 can be disposed of in accordance with my judgment in the other case. I shall, therefore, be dealing with the contentions of parties in this judgment with reference to the pleadings and the documents filed in O. P. 1792.

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