ORDER : In view of the majority judgment, 1. C. A. Nos. 460/97 and 461/1997 are allowed and the judgment and order dated 11-12-1996 of the High Court is set aside; 2. C. A. Nos. 1727/99 and 4602/1999 are dismissed and the judgment and order dated 1-2-1999 of the High Court is affirmed; 3. C. A. Nos. 4685/97 is allowed and the judgment and order dated 4-2-1997 of the High Court is set aside and the writ petition is remitted back to the High Court for fresh consideration in accordance with law; 4. C. A. No. 6065/2001 and SLP (C) 1363/2002 : Leave granted in SLP(C) 1363/2002. The appeals are allowed; 5. C. A. Nos. 8117-22/2001 and SLP(C) 16851/2001 : Leave granted in SLP(C) No. 16851/2001. The appeals are allowed; 6. TC Nos. 21 and 22/2003 : These transferred cases are disposed of; SLP(C) No. 948/2003 : The special leave petition is dismissed; 7. I.A. No. 3/2002 In CA 460/1997 is dismissed; 8. C. A. No. 932/2001 is disposed of; and 9. C. A. Nos. 1639-45/99, CP No. 63/2002 in CA No. 932/2001 and IA Nos. 13-14 in CA Nos. 3512-3513/97 : List before an appropriate Bench.