JUDGMENT :

R. Devdas, J.

1. The petitioner was appointed to the first respondent-Board with effect from 19/4/1982. His services stood confirmed as Meter Reader with effect from 1/1/1985. The petitioner was promoted as Water Inspector with effect from 18/6/2004. The petitioner was also deputed to foreign countries to study the new water management concept during the year 2008. During the year 2010, the Board granted promotion to the employees working in the ministerial cadre to the post of Junior Engineers. Prior to the promotions to the 16 vacant posts of Junior Engineers, a seniority list of 19 eligible employees who were holding Diploma Certificates and who were working in Group 'C' feeder cadre was prepared. The seniority list of 19 eligible candidates is said to have been prepared in terms of Rule 16(f)(ii) of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Cadre Recruitment and Promotion) Regulations, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations for short).

2. The petitioner was placed at Sl.No. 1 in the seniority list. However, the case of the petitioner was not considered for promotion during the year 2010 as there was a departmental enquiry pending against the petitioner. H