( 1 ) I have heard Sri S. M. Nasir, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri H. S. Sahay, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the opposite party No. 4 and the learned standing counsel, who has put in appearance on behalf of the opposite parties Nos. 1 and 2. None has appeared on behalf of the opposite party No. 3,

( 2 ) PETITIONER has prayed for a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding the opposite parties to handover the charge of acting principal to the petitioner in pursuance of the order dated 29. 1. 1996. Petitioner has alleged in the petition that he was appointed as a Sanskrit Teacher in l. T. Grade on 2. 7. 1965 and later on he was promoted as lecturer on 1. 12. 1971. Sri Brij Ballabh singh, the permanent principal of the college died on 5. 9. 1986 and thereafter the post of principal had fallen vacant and Sri Desh Raj Slngh was appointed as ad hoc principal of the college who submitted his resignation, on 15. 4. 1988, a photostate copy of which is Annexure-1 to the writ petition. It has also been alleged in the writ petition that the petitioner is the next seniormost lecturer after opposite party No. 4 and is fully eligible for appointment as ad hoc