JUDGMENT :

SATYEN VAIDYA, J.

1. By way of instant petition, petitioner has prayed for the following substantive relief:

“(i) That a writ in the nature of mandamus may be issued directing the respondents to promote the petitioner as Deputy Superintendent of Police on ad-hoc basis w.e.f. 9.7.1999 and thereafter to regularize the promotion as Deputy Superintendent of Police w.e.f. 29.4.2006 against the vacancy available for general category in the year 1999 in order of merit cum seniority and such promotion may very kindly be ordered to be granted with all consequential benefits of pay, arrears, seniority, etc. etc.”

2. The case of the petitioner in nut-shell is that he was appointed as Constable in Himachal Pradesh Police on 30.10.1974. He was promoted as Head Constable in the year 1981. He qualified the Intermediate Course and was promoted as Assistant Sub-Inspector in the year 1986. Petitioner was further promoted as Sub-Inspector in the year 1990 and as Inspector on 22.8.1995. He was confirmed as Inspector w.e.f. 30.3.1998.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that his juniors Inspectors with similar qualifications and with relaxation in educational qualifications were promoted as DSP