JUDGMENT :

S.Serto, J.

The petitioners, who rose from ranks and were promoted to Junior Grade NPS Cadre vide Notification date 25.05.2010, issued by the Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland, Home Department: Police Establishment Branch are aggrieved by the tentative Seniority List of Nagaland Police Service Officers as on 01.01.2016, which was prepared as per Rule 19(C) of the Nagaland Police Service Rules,2006 and circulated vide Memorandum No. POL/ESTT-3/57/2005(Vol-1) dated 09.10.2020, of the same Department, as they were placed below the direct recruits, who were appointed vide order dated 11.10.2010, issued by competent Authority in pursuance of the recommendation of the Nagaland Public Service Commission. Therefore, they are here before this Court challenging the same and the provisions of the Nagaland Police Service Rules,2006 (which shall hereafter be referred to as the Rules of 2006) particularly Rule 19 (C) and Rule 25.

2. Heard Mr. C.T. Jamir, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners; Mr. Joshua Sheqi, learned counsel appearing for the private respond