(1.) Heard Mr.A.Bimol, learned counsel for the petitioners. Heard also Mr. Y. Ashang, Addl. G.A., for the State Respondents, Mr. A. Mohendro, learned counsel for the private respondents no. 3 to 46, referred to as the contesting private respondents and Mr. P. Tamphamani, learned counsel for the respondents no. 47 to 61.
(2.) The petitioners have challenged the seniority list dated 15.12.2014 (Annexure-A/5 to the writ petition) for the post of Inspectors in the office of Registrar, Co-Operative Society, Manipur alleging that though the petitioners were regularly appointed earlier in the year 1994, the private respondents, who were regularly appointed subsequently in the year 1999, have been placed above the petitioners.
(3.) The petitioners contend that the petitioners were initially appointed as Inspectors on officiating basis during the period 06.12.1990 and 17.02.1992. As the petitioners continued to serve for a long period, they approached the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court for regularisation of their services by filing writ petitions being C.R. No.6 of 1993, C.R. No.8 of 1993, C.R. No.37 of 1993, C.R. No.1481 of 1992, and C.R. No.42 of 1992. In the said writ petitions, the Gauhati High Court passed an interim order on 30.3.93 to the effect that the petitioners shall not be ousted from service.