1. - In this writ petition, the petitioner Ishaq Mohd, has prayed for issuance of a writ, order or direction to quash and set-aside the impugned termination order whereby his services were terminated by M/s. Jaipur Metals & Electricals Ltd., Jaipur. The services of some other employees were also terminated by M/s. Jaipur Metals & Electricals Ltd. They have also challenged their order of termination in separate writ petitions, the details of which are given in Annexure/1 to this order.

2. In all the writ petitions, a common question of law is raised, whether M/s. Jaipur Metals and Electricals Ltd. Jaipur (for short 'the Company') is an "authority" falling within the definition of State in Article 12 of the Constitution of India. Is it an instrumentality or agency of the Government ?

3. In this group of writ petitions, the respondent Company has contended that M/s. Jaipur Metals and Electricals is a Company registered under the Companies Act is therefore, not an 'authority' within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution and no writ petition can be maintained against it. Since a common question of law is raised in all the cases, it was thought desirable, with the consent