JUDGMENT

KURIAN, J.:

Seniority versus eligibility, transfer versus appointment by transfer, are the conflicting concepts arising for consideration in this case. The quintessence of the whole dispute centers round interpretation of the Andhra Pradesh Police Subordinate Service Rules and the Andhra Pradesh Police Service Rules.

2. The Andhra Pradesh Police Subordinate Service Rules consist of 7 classes. We are concerned with Class I. Class I consists of the following 7 categories :

“ Categories :

1. Sub-Inspectors of Police

2. Sub-Inspectors of Police (Intelligence)

3. Reserve Sub-Inspectors including the Bandmaster

4. Assistant Sub-Inspectors

5. Assistant Reserve Sub-Inspectors

6. Head Constables (including Band Head Constables, and Reserve Head Constables, in Armourers, Singallers and Motor Transport Drivers.

7. Constables including Band Constables Reserve Constables, Buglers and Bellowboys.”

Though the qualifications for appointment and scales of pay for the first three categories of Class I is one and the same, they are not interchangeable.

3. The category I-Sub-Inspectors of Poli