STATE BANK OF INDIA SUPERVISING OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS. Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA CENTRAL OFFICE, BOMBAY REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND ANOTHER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition was directed to be posted along with W.P. No. 5554 of 1971 Reported in 1973 Lab IC 1310 (Andlh Pra) by our learned brother O. Chinnappa Reddy. J. It was represented that the question raised in the writ petition is whether the State Bank of India is a "State" within the meaning of Art. 12 of the Constitution and since that question was also involved in the said writ petition. this case was posted along with it.

(2.) Today we have in W.P. No. 5554/71 Reported in 1973 Lab IC 1310 (Andh Pra) held that the Life Insurance Corporation is a 'State' within the meaning of Art. 12 of the Constitution. We have also held that the definition of 'State' is applicable only, to part III of the Constitution. It is only when a fundamental right is said to have been violated that this Court would interfere and issue a writ against an authority which according to the definition is a 'State' within the orbit of Art. 12 of the Constitution.

(3.) Assuming, without so holding, that the State Bank of India is a 'State' within the meaning of Art. 12 of the Constitution, the real question is whether any fundamental right of the petitioners can be said to have been offended.