1. ' IRSHAD HASAN KHAN, J.---The basic question involved in these petitions relates to interpretation of newly-inserted section 2-A of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973. Leave to appeal has since been granted in Civil Petitions Nos.1240 to 1263 of 1997, leave to appeal is also granted in this case on the same terms. If the petitioners are still in service, status quo shall be maintained till disposal of the appeals, which shall be heard alongwith the connected appeals.