1997 Supreme(Bom) 205
IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
(O.O.C.J.)
S.H. Kapadia, J.
St. Theresa’s High School another ..... Petitioners.
Versus
The State of Maharashtra through the
Deputy Director of Education others ...... Respondents.
Writ Petition No. 1076 of 1994, decided on 28-4-1997.
Advocates appeared :
O.J. Menezes with R.S. Tripathi, for the petitioners.
Abhay Patki, for the respondent No. 1.
M.M. Vashi, for respondent No. 2.
I.S. Mecwan, for respondent No. 3.
Headnote:Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act, 1977
Section 2(g)-Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Rule, 1981-Rule 5(5)-Promotion-Management was required to follow rule of seniority-cum-merit which alone was applicable-Respondent No.3 was not entitled to supersede respondent No. 2-0rder of school Tribunal needs no interference.
2.The facts giving rise to this writ petition, briefly, are as follows:-
3.Respondent No. 2 was appointed as Assistant Teacher on 10-06-1963. Respondent No. 3 was appointed as Assistant Teacher on 10-06-1963. In the circumstances, in the seniority of Assistant Teachers' post, Respondent No. 2 was senior to Respondent No. 3. The post of Assistant teacher is a feeder post and the next higher post is that of a Supervisor. Above the post of Supervisor, the next higher post is that of Assistant Headmaster/Headmistress and above the post of Assistant Headmaster/Headmistress is the post of Headmaster/Principal. This hierarchy is clearly indicated in the statement at page 23 of the writ petition. On 26-11-1992, the Management appointed Respondent No. 3 herein to the post of Supervisor. Prior to 26-11-1992, the Principal of the School made general assessment. The report containing general assessment in respect of Respondent No. 2 is annexed as Exhibit-A to the petition whereas the report of general assessment in respect of Respondent No. 3 is annexed as Exhibit -B to the petition. This assessment was done by the Principal in March/April 1992. It is the case of the Management that there is nothing adverse against the Respondent No. 2 in her working as Assistant Teacher in the School. However, it is the case of the Management that on the basis of comparative merit, the Management came to the conclusion bona fide that the Respondent No. 3 was better suited to be appointed to the post of Supervisor particularly because Respondent No. 2, though senior to Respondent No. 3, did not show inclination or aptitude in extra curricular activities and her contribution to the school was only as a regular teacher. On the basis of the general assessment made by the Principal in March/April 1992, the Management decided to appoint Respondent No. 3, to the post of Supervisor. In view of the above two reports, Respondent No. 2, apprehended her supersession and in the circumstances she filed Writ Petition No. 2372 of 1992 in October, 1992. Respondent No. 2 chose to file the above Writ Petition No. 2372 of 1992 without moving the school Tribunal and in the circumstances when the said writ petition came for hearing on 23-11-1992, Respondent No. 2, was asked to approach the Tribunal and, accordingly, the said Writ Petition No. 2372 of 1992 came to be withdrawn with liberty to the second respondent to move the Tribunal. On 23-11-1992, Respondent No. 2 was not aware that the Management was to appoint Respondent No. 3 as a Supervisor. In the circumstances, Respondent No. 2 approached the Education Department. On 26-11-1992, the Management claims to have appointed Respondent No. 3. However, there was no official letter on the basis of which Respondent No. 2 could have challenged the appointment of Respondent No. 3 to the post of Supervisor. On 11-2-1993, the Education Department wrote a letter to the Management that the Respondent No. 3 has been appointed as a Supervisor from 26-11-1992 and the proposal for sanction has been forwarded by the Management but Respondent No. 3 is not a senior-most Assistant Teacher and, therefore, if the name of Respondent No. 3 is registered with the Assistant Director of Education, the proposal of the Management will be acted upon only after sanction of Assistant Director of Education is obtained. U