IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL No. 129 OF 2017 DILAVARSINH PRAVINSINH SOLANKI & ORS. APPELLANTS VERSUS PUNJABHAI MERKHIBHAI BHARAI & ORS. RESPONDENTS WITH CIVIL APPEAL No. 130 OF 2017 STATE OF GUJARAT AND ANR. APPELLANTS VERSUS PUNJABHAI MERKHIBHAI BHARAI & ORS. RESPONDENTS

O R D E R

1. On 27^th August, 2008, the Government of Gujarat enacted the Police Sub-

Inspector (Unarmed), Class III Recruitment Rules, 2008¹ for regulating recruitment to the post of Police Sub Inspector (Unarmed), Class-III in the Gujarat State Police Service.

2. Rule 2 specified that appointments to the posts could be made in three ways. First, a person may be promoted based on proven merit and efficiency. Second, promotion may be granted to a person according to the merit rank obtained in a Special Competitive Examination. Third, appointments may also be made through direct recruitment.

3. Rule 2 (2)(a) is reproduced below:

Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by JATINDER KAUR2. Manner of Appointment - Appointment to the post of Police Sub-Inspector Date: 2025.11.13

18:00:01 IST Reason: (Unarmed) Class lll, in the Gujarat State Police Service shall be made either -

(1) ………