Mishra, J.

This application, by twelve employees of the Salem Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., is directed against the orders of the Special Officer of the said Bank, the Deputy Registrar of the Co-operative Societies, Salem and the Special Tribunal for Co-operative Cases, Madras, impleading besides them as respondents, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. The Salem District Co-operative Sector Bank Employees Union represented by its Joint Secretary has applied for being impleaded as a party respondent and has been heard as per the order of Court dated 28th January, 1985 in WMP No. 906 of 1985.

2. It is not in dispute that the petitioners were appointed as Branch Managers in the Salem Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., by direct recruitment in the years 1969 and 1972 by the competent authority and that the Special By-laws of the Salem Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., contained inter-alia, that persons recruited to the posts of Branch Managers should be atleast a Graduate in Arts or Commerce with a first or second class or possess any other equivalent or higher qualifications recognised by the State Government and should undergo a course in Co-operative Banking successfully