As per case facts, this set of ten Writ Petitions involving a common issue was taken up together. The petitioners challenged a gradation list where private respondents were placed above ... them, despite the petitioners being higher in the original merit list. The petitioners were appointed later than the private respondents, who were appointed in an earlier year. The reason for the appeal to the High Court was the petitioners' contention that seniority should be maintained based on the original merit list from a specific year, as per Civil Service Rules, and not solely on the date of appointment. The question arose whether the determination of inter-se seniority, previously adjudicated by this High Court, could be re-agitated. Finally, the High Court held that the inter-se seniority between the petitioners and private respondents was already settled by a prior judgment, which stated that earlier recruits are senior if appointments were distinct. Since that judgment was not challenged, the current issue cannot be reopened, and the Writ Petitions are dismissed as not maintainable.