PREM CHAND JAIN, J.

1. Shri Narender Singh Rao, District and Sessions Judge, Ambala (now posted at Hissar) has filed this petition under Arts. 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, calling in question the constitutional validity of the Punjab Superior Judicial Service (Haryana Ist Amendment) Rules, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the Amendment Rules) (copy Annexure P. 5 to the petition), by which the Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1963 (hereinafter referred to as the Service Rules) has been amended retrospectively with effect from 1.04.1970, with a prayer that a writ in the nature of certiorari be issued quashing the order of this Court dated 22.11.1976 (copy Annexure P. 11 to the petition) by which the seniority of the petitioner had been changed to his detriment. A further prayer has also been made that the petitioner be declared senior to all the private respondents and be placed above Shri Jagmohan Lal Tandon respondent No. 3, in the seniority list.

2. In order to appreciate the controversy raised before us, it is necessary to recapitulate certain material facts as stated in the petition, which read as under :-

The petitioner is presently serving as a subs