1. The petitioner, who was working as a Store Keeper at the Government Health Department in Konganapuram, Salem District, filed O.A.No.8971 of 2000 before the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, challenging the validity of rule 8 (ix) of Tamil Nadu Ciil Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules as well as the order of removal dated 31.10.2000.

2. The Tribunal admitted the Original Application on 08.12.2000. Pending the OA, the Tribunal granted an interim stay for a limited period. Subsequently, the interim stay stood extended without specifying any outer time limit by a further order dated 22.12.2000.

3. Aggrieved by the interim order, the respondent filed M.A.No.2016 of 2001, seeking to vacate the interim order. However for reasons best known, the Tribunal did not take up the said miscellaneous application. The petitioner on the strength of the interim order is continuing in service.

4. Before the Tribunal, on behalf of the first respondent State, a technical counter affidavit dated 04.01.2001 was filed stating that they have been improperly impleaded in the OA and since no relief was claimed against them, OA should be dismissed.

5. In view of the abolition of the Tribunal, t