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IN THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) KOHIMA BENCH
SANJAY KUMAR MEDHI
Tomin Ete – Appellant
Versus
State Of Ap – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
Sanjay Kumar Medhi, J.
All these four writ petitions and interlocutory applications being connected, the same have been heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment and order.
2. Before going into the issues which have arisen for consideration, it would be necessary to briefly state the basic facts of the cases. Suffice it to mention that the dispute is with regard to the seniority and consequential benefits between the promotees and the direct recruits in the Department of Hydro Power Development. Though the facts are common and overlapping, for the sake of convenience, the facts of each of the writ petitions, along with the submissions made are stated separately.
3. I have heard Shri K.N. Choudhury, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms N. Danggen, learned counsel for the applicants/petitioners in I.A.(C) No.217(AP)/2025;I.A.(C) No.218(AP)/2025 WP(C) No.14(AP)/2022 and WP(C) No.295(AP)/2024; Shri D. Panging, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C) No.284(AP)/2025; and Shri R. Saikia, learned counsel for the petitioners/applicant in WP(C) No. 459(AP)/2022 and IA(C) No.207(AP)/2025. Also heard Shri R. H. Nabam, learned Additional Advocate General for the S
Court emphasized that administrative decisions regarding promotion and seniority must adhere to established rules and principles, ensuring equitable treatment for all eligible individuals.
Promotion and seniority can only be awarded retrospectively when vacancies exist at the time of officiating promotions, and the Department must reevaluate claims based on factual evidence.
Promotions take effect from the date granted, not from the date of vacancy, and retrospective seniority cannot be assigned.
Promotion rights are not absolute; retrospective promotions require clear vacancies and adherence to procedural rules, which were not met in this case.
The court reaffirmed that temporary or ad-hoc promotions do not confer seniority rights, emphasizing strict adherence to statutory rules for public service appointments.
Promotion processes must adhere to established guidelines, ensuring fair consideration for all eligible candidates. Clubbing of vacancies across years violates process integrity, and resultant promot....
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