ORDER

24.04.2026

[1] This MC(WP(C)) No. 327 of 2026 is taken up on mentioning as the application is not listed along with main writ petition being WP(C) No. 841 of 2023 as directed by this Court in order dated 21.04.2026.

[2] Heard Mr. N. Jotendro, learned sr. counsel assisted by Md. Syed Murtaza Ahmed, learned counsel for the writ petitioners/applicants.

[3] By the present application, the applicants/writ petitioners are praying for

(i) take up WP(C) No. 841 of 2023 along with connected MC(WP(C)) No. 413 of 2023 for early hearing and disposal;

(ii) pending such consideration, stay the proposed DPC and/or any promotion process initiated on the basis of the impugned seniority list dated 07.11.2022;

(iii) direct the respondents to keep at least 2(two) post vacant pending disposal of the writ petition; and

(v) pass any further order/ orders, direction/directions which this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper to secure the ends of justice.

In WP(C) No. 841 of 2023, the petitioners challenged the impugned seniority list dated 07.11.2022.

[4] In the application, it is submitted that the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promotion to the higher post on the basis of impugned seniority list of Section Officers-I dated 07.11.2022 is likely to be held any day after 22.04.2026.

[5] During the course of hearing, Mr. N. Jotendro, learned sr. counsel for the writ petitioners/applicants on instructions submits that the proceeding of DPC is fixed today i.e. 24.04.2026 at 1:00 pm and it is prayed that the DPC or any promotion process on the basis of impugned seniority list dated 07.11.2022 be stayed and/or direct the official respondents to keep two posts vacant till the disposal of the main writ petition.

[6] Issue notice to the respondents.

[7] Mr. S. Niranjan, learned GA accepts notice on behalf of respondent nos. 1 & 2, Mr. Ng. Jagatchandra, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of the respondent nos. 8 & 10 and Mr. N. Zequeson, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of respondent nos. 11 & 13.

[8] Mr. N. Jotendro, learned sr. counsel for the writ petitioners submits that the unserved respondents may be permitted to be served by substituted service, as the petitioners/applicants do not have the complete postal address of the private respondents and in order to avoid undue delay.

[9] Taking into consideration the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case, the petitioners/applicants are permitted to serve notice to the unserved respondents by publication in 2(two) local daily newspapers (1 in English edition & another 1 in Manipuri edition) for 2(two) consecutive days. The petitioners/applicants are directed to do needful and file affidavit of proof of service.

[10] The learned sr. counsel for the writ petitioners/applicants submits that as per instructions, 32(thirty-two) posts are to be processed for promotion in the DPC fixed today i.e. 24.04.2026 at 1:00 pm and it is prayed that 2(two) posts may be kept reserved for consideration of the petitioners till the disposal of the writ petition.

[11] Mr. S. Niranjan, learned GA submits that the prayer for interim relief of staying the interview based on the impugned seniority list dated 07.11.2022 or reserving 2(two) posts for the petitioners will complicate the matter and any promotion may be subject to the outcome of the present writ petition and hearing of the writ petition may be expedited.

[12] Mr. Ng. Jagatchandra, learned counsel for the respondent nos. 8 & 10 adopts the submission of learned GA.

[13] Mr. N. Zequeson, learned counsel for the respondent nos. 11 & 13 submits that there is no merit in the main writ petition and the writ petitioners, having not obtained any interim relief since the year 2023, now cannot have an interim order of staying any promotion process on the basis of the impugned seniority list dated 07.11.2022 at this belated stage and

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