( 1 ) THE writ petitioner has sought for quashing the order dated 1. 7. 1997 (Annexure-1) and order dated 22. 4. 1997 (Annexure-18 ). By virtue of the order Annexure-1, the Zonal General Manager, opposite party No. 4 had changed the petitioners date of birth from 13. 10. 1941 to 13. 10. 1939 and in this way, he was informed that his date of superannuation at the age of 58 years (as the date of retirement then was) would be the last day of October, 1997. Annexure-18 was a similar order issued by the General Manager (Personnel), opposite party No. 3 and in pursuance of the said order, his original date of birth, i. e. , 13. 10. 1941 was scored out and in its place, the corrected date of birth, i. e. , 13. 10. 1939 was recorded. Seeking quashing of these two orders, the petitioner has further prayed for a writ in the nature of mandamus commanding the opposite parties to restore his original date of birth and allow him to continue in service until 31. 10. 1999.

( 2 ) THE factual matrix, as recited in the petition, is as follows : in the month of May, 1957, the petitioner was selected for appointment to the post of Conductor and on the basis of the said selection, he w