It is relevant to notice at this stage that the petitioner had come before this Court on an earlier occasion by filing writ petition No. 5302 of 1980 which was disposed of on August 10, 1983 This Court in its judgment indicated: "Shri Abdul Khader, learned counsel for the respondents explained to us that the petition er had been reverted from the rank of Acting Lt. Colonel to Major for three reasons: (i) Reduction in rank had to follow as a matter of course on placement of the petitioner in a lower medical category; (ii) After the latest medical exami nation in 1978, he was not eligible to be considered for promotion for one year; his earlier reduction in rank was, therefore, justified; and (iii) He performed no duty for six months from March 22, 1976 when he was admit ted in the hospital and under the rules, he stood automatically reduced in rank.