JUDGMENT

Sanjeev Narula, J. (Oral) - The present intra-court appeal assails the order dated 18th August 2023 passed by a learned Single Judge of this Court, whereby Appellant's challenge to the reassignment of his role by the Respondent-Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited ("HPCL"), was dismissed. The ambit of the Appellant's challenge now solely focusses on the issue of entitlement to salary for the period spanning four and a half months i.e., February (half-month salary) to June 2019.

2. Brief facts leading up to the filing of the present appeal are as under:

2.1. In 1986, the Appellant joined the service of HPCL in the capacity of Clerk-cum-Typist within "Grade M-08", before being subsequently elevated to the position of Chief Administrative Superintendent. On 25th January 2019, HPCL issued a reassignment letter bearing no. MNZ.KG.PERS/T to the Appellant, redirecting him to the Operations and Distribution (O&D) Department, North Zone, on a lateral basis in "Cluster C" with immediate effect.

2.2. Upon further enquiry, Appellant was informed that he had being reassigned to the role of a Stenographer. This reassignment was objected to by the Appellant, who submitted a representation