M.R.SHARMA, J.

1. The petitioners were recruited as Constables in the Union Territory of Chandigarh on the various dates mentioned in paragraph 2 of the petition. By virtue of the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, their conditions of service were governed by the Punjab Police Rules, 1934 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules). On January 30, 1973, the Union Territory Administration issued a standing order laying down that the Constables should be deputed for the Lower School Course on the basis of a competitive test. Petitioners Nos. 5 to 7 filed Civil Writ Petn. No. 1812 of 1976, which came up before R. N. Mittal, J. who disposed it of on 10.09.1976 in the following terms :-

"The learned counsel for the respondents has stated that the petitioners shall be considered for sending to the Lower School Course which is to commence in April, 1977 in accordance with the Punjab Police Rules in force at that time without taking into consideration the order dated 18th August, 1973 and that the respondents shall not promote any of the persons mentioned in Annexure- P-1 to the post of Head Constable till October, 1977. In view of the aforesaid undertaking, the learned