K.N. Singh, J.

The petitioner was directly recruited to the Indian Police Service in 1961 and was allotted to the State Cadre of Uttar Pradesh. He was confirmed on 2-12-1963 and was promoted to the senior scale on 27-7-1965. He was further selected and promoted to the Selection Grade of Indian Police Service with effect from 15-11-1974 under the order of the State Government dated 28-11-1975 The petitioner was confirmed in the senior scale and on 15-8-1977 he was awarded President’s Police Medal for long and meritorious service. While working in the Selection Grade the petitioner was considered for promotion to the supertime scale post of the Deputy Inspector General of Police along with a number of other officers. The petitioner was, however, not selected instead officers junior to him were selected and promoted to the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police. Aggrieved, the petitioner has filed this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution challenging the order of the State Government dated 2-12-1980 making promotion to the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police and superseding the petitioner. The petitioner has prayed for the issue of a writ of mandamus direct