1. ABDUL KADIR SHAIKH, J.-The question for consideration in this petition is whether in the face of specific provisions of rule 10-A of the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973 that no party to any proceed--ings under the rules shall be represented by an Advocate, the High Court has taken the correct view that the respondent is entitled to be represented through a counsel for the departmental proceedings being held against him.
2. This is an important question of law likely to affect large number of cases and, therefore, deserves an authoritative decision by this Court. Special leave is granted.
3. Appeal to be made ready on the present record and fixed for an early hearing. It is open to the parties to file additional documents, if any.
4. The consideration of the request for suspension of the impugned order of the High Court is deferred to a date in office. The case to come up again/ at the request of the learned counsel for the petitioner after notice to the learned counsel for the caveator.