These twenty two petitions involve a common question of law and we propose to decide them by a common judgment.

The applications pray for a writ of Certiorari in order to quash an order dated 13-3-64 passed by the Government by which the organization known as Special Police Squad was disbanded and all the employees under that organization were removed from service. By a subsequent order dated 26-3-1964, the Government directed that the order disbanding the organization would take effect from 1-4-1964. The case was he and by a division bench but in view of substantial questions of law involved, it has been placed before us for an authoritative pronouncement.

The facts giving rise to the petitions lie within a narrow compass and most of them are admitted. By virtue of Government Order No. 87-C of 1954 dated January 18, 1954, Government created a special police squad of the strength shown in the Annexure to the order and directed that the squad should come into effect from 20th December, 1953, the date on which the squad was organized. It was further stated in the order that in time of need the squad will function as Special Police within the meaning of Sections 18 and 19 of t