(1.) Leave granted.
(2.) The notice on the Special Leave Petition stated that the matter might be disposed of at this stage in the light of the judgment of this Court delivered on 1st October, 1999 in Union of India v. S. Muthyam Reddy (Civil Appeal No. 762 of 1997)
(3.) The judgment aforesaid being applicable and in favour of the appellant, the civil appeal is allowed and the judgment and order under appeal is set aside.