JUDGMENT

Dr. B.R. Sarangi, J. - The petitioner, by means of this writ petition, seeks to quash the final gradation list of Chief Fire Officers published by opposite party no.1 in letter no. 15658/CD dated 15.04.2021 under Annexure-5, and to issue direction to opposite party no.1 to restore the seniority of the petitioner over and above the opposite party no.4 and consider him for promotion to such higher post and to grant him all consequential service and financial benefits within a stipulated period.

2. The factual matrix of the case, in short, is that the State Government issued an advertisement, which was published during the year 1984 to fill up vacancies of Station Officer in Odisha Fire Service Organization. The recruitment process was conducted by the Central Selection Board on 9th and 10th February, 1984. In the said recruitment process, 13 candidates were short listed for appointment to the post of the Station Officer in Odisha Fire Service. They were appointed in two dates, i.e., on 24.02.1984 (ten candidates) and 29.03.1984 (three candidates), pursuant to which they joined on 07.03.1984 and 30.03.1984 respectively. The petitioner joined on 07.03.1984 and the opposite party