S.B. Sinha, J. - (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) Interpretation of the Customs Appraisers Service, Class II Recruitment Rules, 1961 (for short "the 1961 Rules") and the Department of Revenue (Customs Appraisers) Recruitment Rules, 1988 (for short "the 1988 Rules") vis-a-vis application of the decisions of this Court in Mervyn Coutinho and Ors. vs. Collector of Customs, Bombay and Ors. (1966) 3 SCR 600 ) and Gaya Baksh Yadav vs. Union of India and Others (1996) 4 SCC 23 ) is in question in these appeals which arise out of a judgment and order dated 21.04.2006 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras.
(3.) Appellant is the Custom Appraisers Officers Association representing promotee Appraisers who were appointed in the post of Examiner on various dates. Customs Department of the Government of India (Department) appoints Appraisers. There was no statutory rule governing the terms and conditions of their services including seniority.;