GUPTA, J.—These 29 writ petitions arise in somewhat similar circumstances and, therefore, it would be proper to dispose them of by a common order.

2. The petitioners in all these writ petitions were employed in different capacities at various places in Rajasthan in the Indian Railways and they were removed from service as a sequel to the All India Strike of Railway men, which took place in May, 1974. It is common ground that the Central Government, by virtue of the powers conferred upon it under Rule 118 of the Defence of India Rules, 1971 prohibited any strike in the Railway Service in India in connection with any industrial dispute for a period of six months with effect from November 26, 1973. Several Unions representing railway employees gave notices of an All India Strike of employees working on Indian Railways which was to take effect from May 8, 1974 to ventilate the grievances of the railway employees, in respect of various matters relating to their service conditions. As the attempted negotiations failed, the strike took place as contemplated. The Discipi-nary Authority concerned, in the case of each one of the petitioners, waived the holding of a disciplinary enquiry in acc

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