: 1 : IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE SIDE WRIT PETITION NO.4453 OF 2003 WRIT PETITION NO.4453 OF 2003 WRIT PETITION NO.4453 OF 2003 State of Maharashtra & Anr. ... Petitioners V/s. Dattatraya M. Yashwantrao ... Respondent a/w WRIT PETITION NO.4455 OF 2003 WRIT PETITION NO.4455 OF 2003 WRIT PETITION NO.4455 OF 2003 State of Maharashtra & Anr. ... Petitioners V/s. Yashwant Laxman Rasal ... Respondent AND WRIT PETITION NO.4463 OF 2003 WRIT PETITION NO.4463 OF 2003 WRIT PETITION NO.4463 OF 2003 State of Maharashtra & Anr. ... Petitioners V/s. Shivaji Malhari Bhoir ... Respondent Mr.N.P. Deshpande for Petitioners Mr.R.P. Lote for Respondent CORAM: V.G. PALSHIKAR & V.G. PALSHIKAR & V.G. PALSHIKAR & SMT.NISHITA MHATRE, JJ. SMT.NISHITA MHATRE, JJ. SMT.NISHITA MHATRE, JJ. DATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2005 FEBRUARY 15, 2005 FEBRUARY 15, 2005 P.C.: P.C.: P.C.: . By these Petitions, the State Government challenges the order passed by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal. : 2 : 2. The Tribunal had by the impugned order directed the consideration of the orginal applicants for the post of Circle Officer by promotion from the post of Talati. All the applicants were appointed prior to 1969 and in the year 1969, the Government prescribed qualifications of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) as necessary qualifications for appointment as Talati. Even the Rules which are framed after the appointment and promotion to the post of Circle Officer do not contemplate the SSC as pre-requisite for such promotion. The subsequent requirement of SSC, therefore, cannot be applied retrospectively to a person appointed prior to the date on which this qualification was prescribed. That being the position in law, the order of the Tribunal directing their consideration for promotion cannot be faulted. 3. Writ Petitions are, therefore, dismissed.