Sudhir Narain, J. - (1.) As common questions of law and facts are involved in these writ petitions, they are being disposed of together.
(2.) The core question is whether the petitioner shall retire at the age of 58 years or 60 years.
(3.) The facts in brief are that the petitioner was appointed as lecturer in Biology on 5th July. 1964 in Maharaj Agrasen Inter College, Moradabad (hereinafter referred to as the 'institution'). His date of birth is 31st July. 1939. On 30.6.1990 Sri B. P. S. Agarwal, the Principal of the institution retired from service. The petitioner was appointed as officiating Principal being the seniormost lecturer in the institution. The U. P. Secondary Education Service Commission (hereinafter referred to as the ('Commission') advertised the post of Principal treating the vacancy as substantive vacancy. The petitioner applied for appointment and was selected by the Commission. On 29.8.1996, an appointment letter was issued by the Manager of the institution appointing him as Principal in pursuance of the directions of the Commission.;