In this connection 946 reference was made to the prayer clause appearing in Writ Petition No. 462 of 1973 which is in the following terms: "In this writ petition, it is prayed that this Court may be pleased to: (1) quash the promotion of respondents 2 to 31 to the cadre of Executive Engineers made as per order dated 3 2 1973; (2) direct the respondent 1 to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the cadre of Executive Engineers with effect from 3 2 1973 on which date respondents 2 to 31 were promoted; and (3) pass an interim order, restraining the respondent 1 from making further promotion to the cadre of Executive Engineers without considering the case of the petitioner for such promotion, pending disposal of this writ petition." (It was assumed at the hearing of the appeals that the prayer made in the other writ petitions is to a similar effect).