ORDER :

1. This Writ Petition is filed for the following relief:

“…to issue a Writ, order or direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus duly setting aside the impugned Memo No. 18808/Ser.I/A2/2016 dated 24.06.2017 and the consequential rejection order in Rc.No. 513/E3/2018 dt.22.02.2019 issued by the 1st and 2nd respondents respectively as being arbitrary, illegal and contrary to the provisions of Rule 6 of the T.S. State & Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 and to the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India reported in (2010) 4 SCC 290 and (2007) 9 SCC 743 and in violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, and that the petitioner is entitled to have his case considered and be promoted as Reserve Inspector (AR) in the panel year of 2014-15 with benefits incidental thereto and consequently, direct the 1st and 2nd respondents to include petitioner’s name over and above that of the 5th respondent in the final seniority list of Reserve Inspectors (AR) working in SAR CPL, Amberpet, Hyderabad, communicated vide Memorandum Rc.No. 513/E3/2018 dt.22.02.2019 issued by the 2nd respondent and pass…..”

2. The petitioner contends that he was initially appointed on 15.07.2008 as Reserve Sub-Inspector of Police (AR) in Special Armed Reserve, Central Police Lines (hereinafter referred to as ‘SAR CPL’) in accordance with Rule. Though he is eligible for promotion as Reserve Inspector during the panel year 2014-15, he was promoted as Reserve Inspector on 25.10.2016. Respondent No. 5 was also initially appointed as Reserve-Sub-Inspector of Police (AR) in SAR CPL in accordance with Rule 2 (a) of Special Rules for the A.P Special Armed Police with effect from 15.07.2008 and he was promoted as Reserve Inspector on 25.10.2016. During the panel year 2014-15, the 5th respondent was not eligible for promotion as he was under the currency of punishment.

2.1 The petitioner further contended that as per the provisions of Rule 6 of the T.S. State & Subordinate Service Rules, 1996 year-wise panels have to be prepared and cases of candidates eligible during the respective panel years have to be considered as per their eligibility and suitability. The Government of Telangana, General Administration (Services-D) Department dt.03.03.2015 has accorded permission to make promotions / appointment by transfers involving promotions. Pursuant to the said permission, the 3rd respondent vide Memo dt.23.03.2015 had called for Recommended Rolls, Nominal Rolls, Review Sheet along with up-to-date Service Books for preparation of promotion panel of Reserve Sub Inspector (hereinafter referred to as “RSI”) (AR) fit to act as Reserve Inspector (hereinafter referred to as “RI”) (AR) for the panel year 2014-15 and the 4th respondent furnished the same to the 3rd respondent vide proceedings dated 24.04.2015. The petitioner submitted a representation to the 2nd respondent dated 08.06.2015 with a request to consider his promotion to the post of Reserve Inspector for the panel year 2014-15. But, he was promoted as Reserve Inspector in 2015-16. The petitioner submitted another representation to the 2nd respondent on 06.12.2016 stating that to consider his claim for notional promotion in 2014-15. The Government of Telangana vide impugned rejection memo No. 18808/Ser-I/A2/2016 dated 24.06.2017 decided that the R.Is who were promoted in the year 2015-16 are not eligible for notional promotion from the year 2014-15.

2.2 The petitioner further contended that the 2nd respondent communicated the provisional seniority list of Reserve Inspectors (AR) vide memo dated 18.12.2018 and the names of the petitioner and respondent No. 5 are shown at serial no. 5 and serial no. 4 respectively. The petitioner submitted objections dated 16.02.2019 challenging the above said list and the 2nd respondent in its Memorandum vide Rc.No. 513/E3/2018 dated 22.2.2019 disposed of the objections by placing reliance on the aforementioned Government Memo dt.24.06.2017. The 2nd