Rajendra Menon, J.

1. Petitioner, who at the relevant time in the year 1998 when this petition was filed was the Mandi Secretary-Grade IV and was posted in Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti, Sihora, Jabalpur has filed this writ petition challenging the seniority list published from time to time, granting seniority to Respondents 3 to 5, over and above the Petitioner. Further challenge is also made to an order-dated 17.7.98, by which the representation of the Petitioner for correction of the Seniority List is rejected and orders-dated 19.11.1984, 14.11.1984 and 15.11.1984 - Annexures B, C and D, by which Respondents 3 to 5 are appointed as Mandi Secretary Grade IV retrospectively with effect from 10.10.1980, adversely affecting the seniority of the Petitioner.

2. Facts in brief, necessary for disposal of this writ petition, are that Petitioner was appointed as a Mandi Secretary Grade IV, vide order-dated 7.1.1982. Since then till filing of the writ petition, he was holding the said post. In the Gradation List, that was issued by Respondent No. 2, showing the position of Mandi Secretaries as on 1.10.86, when Respondents 3 to 5 were shown senior to the Petitioner and it was indicated that t