REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 1993-1995 OF 2020

(ARISING OUT OF SLP (CIVIL) NOS. 22949-22951 OF 2019)

C. JAYACHANDRAN ......APPELLANT(S)

VERSUS

STATE OF KERALA & ORS.ETC. ......RESPONDENT(S)

J U D G M E N T

HEMANT GUPTA, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. The challenge in the present appeals is to a judgment and order

passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Kerala on 3

rd

September, 2019 whereby the order passed by the learned Single

Bench of the High Court on 8

th

January, 2019 was set aside.

3. The facts leading rise to the present appeals are that an

advertisement was published on 16

th

April, 2007 to fill up six posts

in the Kerala Higher Judicial Service in terms of Kerala State Higher

Judicial Services Special Rules, 1961

1

. The selection process in

pursuance of such advertisement was challenged by the appellant

in respect of minimum age which was fixed as 35 years. The

1 for short, ‘Rules’

1

Kerala High Court struck down the eligibility in respect of minimum

age vide order dated 12

th

November, 2009. The Special Leave

Petition against the said order was dismissed on 15

th

December,

2009. After the said order, four candidates, namely, Babu, Kauser,

Edappagath and Badharudeen were selected against general merit

vacancies whereas three others were selected against the posts

meant for reserved category.

4.The appellant disputed such selection process before this Court.

Writ Petition No. 200 of 2010 filed by the appellant was disposed of

by this Court on 14

th

May, 2010 granting liberty to the appellant to

move the High Court after observing that the writ petition involves

an important question of public importance. It is thereafter, the

appellant filed Writ Petition No.16206 of 2010 before the High

Court challenging the grant of moderation/grace marks to the

candidates who were appointed on 30

th

March, 2009 and sought his

appointment as District and Sessions Judge. The said writ petition

was allowed by the Division Bench of the High Court on 13

th

September, 2010. The grant of moderation marks was found to be

unsustainable. The High Court directed to recast the select list.

The relevant findings read as under:

“32. In the result, we are of the opinion that the decision

of the Selection Committee to grant moderation is

unsustainable in law. Therefore, all further steps

pursuant to the said decision would be unsustainable.

The resultant situation is that only the seven candidates

who were initially found eligible on the basis of their

having secured the cut off marks in the examination

should have been subjected to the viva-voce

examination and an appropriate decision regarding their

2

suitability to fill up the originally advertised 6 posts

should have been taken by the 1

st

respondent in

accordance with law.

33. However, in view of the subsequent decision of the

1

st

respondent to fill up 10 posts, the 1

st

respondent may

now proceed with the selection from out of the 7

abovementioned candidates in accordance with law by

recasting the select list.….”

5.The said order was challenged by three candidates who were

appointed with the aid of grace marks before this Court by filing

SLP Nos. 27701-27702 of 2010. The SLPs were dismissed on 8

th

October, 2010.

6.The revised merit list of qualified candidates was prepared who

were found eligible to be appointed as District Judges. The select

list of candidates eligible for appointment as District Judges in the

Kerala State Higher Judicial Service in the six notified vacancies

was finalised as under:

Sl. No.

Turn No. Roll

No.

Name of

candidate

Rank

No.

Community

1. 37-Open

competition

201 Babu K 1 Ezhava

2. 38-Nadars included

in SIUC

-- N.C.A. -- Nadirs

included in

SIUS

3. 39-Open

competition

415 Kauser

Edappagath

2 Muslim

4. 40-OBC -- N.C.A. -- OBC

5. 41-Open

competition

355 Jayachandran C. 3 General

6. 42-ETB Muslims 206 Badharudeen A. 5 Muslim

7.In pursuance of the said select list, the appellant was appointed in

the cadre of District Judge vide order dated 22

nd

December, 2010

issued by the Government of Kerala. The relevant extract from the

order reads as under:

3

“4. Accordingly, proposal from the Chief Justice of the

High Court has been received recasting the select list

with the names of the following 4 candidates amongst

the candidates who have qualified in the written

examination without the aid of moderation, for

appointment as District and Sessions Judges in the Kerala

Higher Judicial Service, in the six notified vacancies,

applying Rules 14 to 17 of KS & SSR, in turn numbers 37,

39, 41 and 42 respectively.

1.Shri Babu K.

2.Shri Kauser Edappagath

3.Shri Jayachandran C.

4.Shri Badharudeen A.

5. The above proposal further requests to issue

necessary Government Orders allowing Shri Babu K, Shri

Kauser Edappagath and Shri Badharudeen A, who were

accommodated as per Government Order read as 1

st

paper above to continue in service with effect from

21.05.2009 i.e. the date on which they assumed charge

and appointing Shri Jayachandran C as District and

Sessions Judge in the Kerala Higher Judicial Service with

effect from the date he assumes charge.

Xx xx xx

ii. In the above circumstance, the

Government are pleased to:

(ii) allow Shri Babu K, Shri Kauser Edappagath and

Shri Badharudeen A who were appointed as

District and Sessions Judges as per

Government Order read as 1

st

paper above to

continue in service with effect from 21

st

May,

2009, i.e., the date on which they assumed

charge in turn numbers 37, 39 and 42

respectively.

(ii) Appoint Shri Jayachandran C., Lakshmi Vilas, East

Kadungallur U.C. College P.O., Aluva-683102 as District

and Sessions Judge in turn No. 41 in the Kerala Higher

Judicial Service with effect from the date he assumes

charge.”

8.The Government of Kerala published a notification dated 22

nd

December, 2010 cancelling the appointment of Smt. Sulekha M and

4

appointing the appellant in the cadre of District and Sessions Judge.

An Explanatory Note was appended in the notification wherein it

was mentioned as under:

“Accordingly the proposal from the Chief Justice of the

High Court has been received recasting the select list

with the names of Shri Babu K., Shri Kauser Edappagath,

Shri Jayachandran C. and Shri Badharudeen A., who have

qualified in the written examination without the aid of

moderation for appointment as District and Sessions

Judges in the Higher Judicial Service, in the six notified

vacancies applying Rules 14 to 17 of KS & SSR, in turn

numbers 37, 39, 41 and 42 respectively. The above

proposal further requests to issue necessary Government

Orders (i) allowing Shri Babu K., Shri Kauser Edappagath

and Shri Badharudeen A., who were appointed as per

G.O. (Ms.) No. 39/2009/Home dated 30

th

March, 2009 to

continue in service with effect from 21-5-2009 i.e., the

date on which they assumed charge and (ii) appointing

Shri Jayachandran C. as District and Sessions Judge in the

Kerala Higher Judicial Service with effect from the date

he assumes charge. It has also requested to cancel the

appointment of Smt. Sulekha M., Shri Balakrishnan K.

and Smt. Nazeera S. as District and Sessions Judges, as

they are not qualified in the written examination. Since,

out of the four persons recommended in the select list,

three persons namely Shri Babu K., Shri Kauser

Edappagath and Shri Badharudeen A., have already been

appointed as per notification issued as G.O. (Ms.) No.

39/2009/Home dated 30

th

March, 2009 and published as

S.R.O. No. 292/2009 in the Kerala Gazette Extraordinary

No. 704 dated 30

th

March, 2009 and they are allowed to

continue in service as per G.O. (Ms.) No. 280/2010/Home

dated 22-12-2010 no fresh notification in respect of them

is required. Accordingly, Shri Jayachandran C. is to be

appointed as District and Sessions Judge and

appointments in respect of other three persons referred

to above, who are not qualified are to be cancelled.”

9.In pursuance of such an order, the appellant joined on 24

th

February, 2011 in the cadre of District and Sessions Judge.

10.After the advertisement was published for direct recruitment, six

5

officers were promoted by transfer to the cadre of District Judge

including Shri John K. Illikkadan on 29

th

May, 2007 but without

prejudice to the claim of the candidates to be recruited directly

from Bar. Subsequently, Smt. K.P. Indira was promoted by transfer

on 16

th

May, 2008, wherein the Government Order specifically

stated that these appointments were without prejudice to the claim

of the direct recruits, which was already underway vide notification

dated 16

th

April, 2007. On 2

nd

July, 2010, Shri Mohd. Vaseem and

Smt. Sophy Thomas, respondent Nos. 11 and 12 were promoted

and appointed by transfer to the cadre of District Judge. Their

promotion was subject to the result of W.P. (C) Nos. 21094/09,

25168/09, 23647/09, 20683/09, 25561/09 and 25914/09 before the

High Court. Such writ petitions were disposed of on 12

th

October,

2010 in the light of the order passed in the writ petition filed by the

appellant which was decided on 13

th

September, 2010.

11.On 9

th

December, 2010, the Administrative Committee of the High

Court resolved to fix the cadre strength of District Judges at 99.

12.The appellant submitted a representation on 11

th

April, 2012

claiming notional seniority with effect from the date of appointment

of other candidates through the same selection i.e. w.e.f. 30

th

March, 2009, as directed by the High Court. The appellant also

submitted a reminder on 18

th

September, 2014.

13.The High Court issued notice to the Officers appointed by transfer

on 2

nd

July, 2016 to consider the representation filed by four direct

6

recruits including the appellant and Badharudeen claiming seniority

over District Judges appointed by transfer from amongst Sub-

Judges/ Chief Judicial Magistrates. The Administrative Committee

in its meeting held on 19

th

October, 2017 found that the total cadre

strength of the District Judges was 96 whereas 24 posts were to be

filled up by direct recruitment but only 18 officers were holding the

posts of District Judges. The Administrative Committee noticed

that appointment by transfer of six promotee officers on 29

th

May,

2007 was in exigency of service pending direct recruitment. The

Administrative Committee referred to Full Bench judgment of the

said Court in P. K. Haneefa v. State of Kerala

2

. As per

Haneefa’s judgment, the Administrative Committee found that the

candidates appointed in excess of the quota were entitled to

seniority from the date the such candidates were adjusted against

the available vacancies within their quota.

14.Consequent to the order of the Administrative Committee, the High

Court issued an Office Memorandum on 26

th

October, 2017

assigning seniority to the appellant at Sl. No. 18 and that to

Badharudeen at Sl. No. 19; Shri John K. Illikkadan at Sl. No. 21; Smt.

K.P. Indira at Sl. No. 22; Mohd. Vaseem at Sl. No. 28 and Smt. Sophy

Thomas at Sl. No. 30.

15.Such decision of the High Court was challenged by Shri John K.

Illikkadan and Smt. K.P. Indira through Writ Petition (C) No.

40046/2017 whereas Smt. Sophy Thomas and Mohd. Vaseem filed

2 2012 (4) KLJ 673 (FB)

7

Writ Petition (C) Nos. 40069/2017 and 40043/2017 respectively.

The High Court in its counter affidavit has, inter alia, taken the

following stand:

“12. The decision to initiate process of appointing the

District Judges including the petitioner No. 1 was taken

by the Administrative Committee as per Ex.R2 (f)

meeting held on 29.08.2006. As on 31.07.2006, the

cadre strength of the District and Sessions Judges was

96. At that time, only 18 direct recruits were in service

as against their quota of 24. 126 promotee District

Judges were in service as against their quota of 72.

Hence a total of 54 promotees were in the service

outside their quota…….Resolution of the Administrative

Committee dated 29.08.2006 and G.O. dated 29.05.2007

make it clear that petitioner No. 1 in WP(C) No.

40046/2017 was appointed against the quota set apart

for direct recruits and outside the quota fixed for

promotion. Resolution dated 21.02.2008 of the

Administrative Committee further makes it clear that

petitioner No. 2 Smt. K.P. Indira was appointed outside

the quota fixed for appointment by transfer but purely on

ad-hoc basis. Moreover, in the G.Os. appointing

petitioners, it has been clearly mentioned that the

appointments made there under were appointments

without prejudice to the claims of the candidates to be

recruited directly from the Bar satisfying the provisions

under Rule 2(b) of the Special Rules for Kerala State

Higher Judicial Service. The period of service rendered

by the petitioners against the posts within the quota of

direct recruits and outside the quota fixed for promotion

cannot be reckoned for the purpose of determining

seniority in the category of District and Sessions Judges.

The service based on substantive appointment within the

quota alone can be counted for the purpose of seniority.

xx xx xx

24. The further claim of Sri. C. Jayachandran was that

pursuant to the judgment of this Court in W.P. (C) No.

16206/2010 when the select list was recast, his name

was included at Rank No. 3 in the merit list. According to

him, based on the ranking assigned to him in the merit

list, he was appointed against Turn No. 41 reserved for

open merit candidates and Sri. Sadharudeen A., who was

appointed against Turn No. 41, was shifted out and

8

accommodated against Turn No. 42, a reservation

vacancy earmarked for OBC candidates.”

16.All the writ petitions were dismissed by the learned Single Bench of

the High Court on 8

th

January, 2019. The learned Single Bench of

the High Court held as under:

“38. When the cadre strength was only 96 and the

number of direct recruits necessary was found to be 24

in Ext.R2(f) minutes, the fact that promotees could

continue without reversion because of the continuance of

fast track courts would not mean that there were

vacancies within the cadre, for promotees. Admittedly,

when M/s. John Illikkadan and K.P. Indira were appointed

in 2007 and 2008 on ad-hoc basis and subject to the

claims of direct recruits, M/s. Sophy and Mohamed

Vaseem, who were appointed only in 2010, by transfer,

cannot claim any right for regular appointment over and

above them. Therefore, they will not have any special

right or privilege just because their appointments were

not made conditional.”

17.Aggrieved against the order passed by the learned Single Bench of

the High Court, three intra-court appeals were preferred before the

Division Bench of the High Court which came to be allowed on 3rd

September, 2019. The Division Bench of the High Court has taken

a view that the cadre strength has not been fixed by the

Government as is necessitated by the rules any time before 2015

when the cadre strength was resolved by the Administrative

Committee in the High Court at 99. The High Court found that

direct recruits of the selection in question were appointed against

the quota of 1/3

rd

of the permanent posts in categories (1) and (2)

of the Rules prior to its amendment in the year 2008. The Division

Bench of the High Court referring to para 49 of the judgment in

9

Haneefa’s case held that there is a quota for direct recruitment

but there is no quota for by-transfer and held as under:

“24. … The Full Bench held so in Para 48: “We have

already interpreted Rule 2(b) of the Special Rules that it

is intended to operate as a quota for direct recruitment.”

(sic) There is also no quota for by-transfer appointments,

which in no uncertain terms demonstrate that there is no

ratio applicable as per the Special Rules read with the

KS&SSR. Our decision turns on this crucial aspect of

existence of quota only in the case of the direct recruits

and that too confined to the permanent posts in category

(1) & (2) of the Special Rules taken together and the

absence of a rota and a ratio.

xx xx xx

30. Going back to the Full Bench decision in Haneefa

P.K. (supra), it was specifically noticed in paragraph 22

that the Special Rules do not contain any rota provision.

It was held on an examination of Rule 2(b) of the Special

Rules that the latter part of the Rules insofar as the direct

recruits are concerned, by the language employed,

provides a positive and mandatory quota of 1/3

rd

of the

permanent posts in the two categories as seen from the

Special Rules. We also pertinently notice that the

declaration of the Full Bench is only to that end and

cannot be taken further to find a specific quota

prescribed for the by-transfer appointments and it is so

stated in paragraph 62 that “once separate quotas are

prescribed for direct recruitment and for appointment by

transfer from the subordinate judiciary, the ratio

prescribed in the rules should be maintained against the

cadre strength”. Here, we have to notice that the Full

Bench has not found a ratio at all and the decision only

leads to a quota being made mandatory for direct

recruitment in the permanent posts in category (1) & (2)

taken together.

xx xx xx

39. … We are quite conscious of the fact that the

peculiar situation, of the promotees having been

continued for long years in that case, and there arising a

breakdown of the “quota-rota” rule for reason of which

an equitable principle for determining inter-se seniority

10

was evolved therein; is not available here. But still the

underlined portion is applicable as the rules stand here

too, ie: the Special Rules read with KS&SSR.”

18.The Division Bench of the High Court further held that the

Administrative Committee erred insofar as there is no quota

prescribed for by-transfer appointees. The quota is only for direct

recruits and confined to permanent posts in the cadre of District

Judges. There is no reversion that has been affected to

accommodate the direct recruits. The Division Bench also held that

there is no break down of quota rule and that Haneefa’s case

cannot be relied on to automatically confer seniority on direct

recruits. The Court held as under:

“43. The issue as highlighted by the A.C. in Exhibit P2 is

as to whether the direct recruits who commenced service

subsequent to the officers appointed by-transfer are

entitled to seniority above the promotees. Reliance was

placed on Haneefa P.K. (supra) and it was noticed that

the same was upheld in a Special Leave Petition by the

Hon'ble Supreme Court. The A.C. found that the Full

Bench had considered whether those appointed in excess

of the quota are entitled to seniority from the date of

their appointment and it was held that such appointees

will gain seniority only from the date their appointments

are adjusted against the vacancies within the quota.

Here, the A.C. erred insofar as there being no quota

prescribed for by-transfer appointees. As we noticed, the

quota is only for the direct recruits and that is confined

to the permanent posts in the cadre of District Judges.

The Full Bench judgment in Haneefa P.K. was elaborately

quoted, which we have distinguished herein above on

the facts available here of no reversion having been

effected to accommodate the subject direct recruits. The

A.C. then found that the by-transfer appointees were

appointed to the vacancies in the direct recruitment

quota; which is patently erroneous, since there was no

reversion effected and all the six direct recruits so

11

appointed on 30.03.2009 were appointed without

disturbing any previous appointment in the category. The

A.C. considering the issue of breakdown of quota, found

that the judgment in Haneefa P.K. covers the issue as on

01.11.2012 and that there was no deliberate inaction or

inertia on the part of the Government [read ‘High Court’]

in making appointments regularly to the post. Haneefa

P.K., according to us, considered the facts of the

recruitment of District Judges from the Bar, who were

appointed in the year 2001 and the declaration is insofar

as there being a definite quota available to the direct

recruits in the relevant Special Rules, as against the

permanent posts. We do not find any break down of

quota rule but the Full Bench cannot be relied on to

automatically confer seniority on direct recruits. All the

same, the finding that by-transfer appointments made

were to quota available to the direct recruit District

Judges cannot be countenanced. There were sufficient

vacancies in the cadre to accommodate the by-transfer

appointees as also the direct recruits at the time when

the direct recruits came into service. This amply

demonstrates that there were enough permanent

vacancies available for accommodating the direct

recruits and none from the by-transfer appointees were

occupying such permanent posts. We, hence, do not find

any reason to uphold the decision of the A.C.”

19.The High Court further held that the Administrative Committee did

not have the power to decide on the seniority dispute between by-

transfer appointees and direct recruits. It was found that in the

minutes of Judges’ meeting held on 12

th

June, 1986, the seniority

dispute is not delegated to the Administrative Committee. The

High Court referred to Item No. 5 of Clause II which reads as under:

“II(5) Representation from judicial officers regarding

service problems.”

20.It was held that inter se seniority disputes cannot be trivialized and

have to be decided by the Full Court. The Division Bench held as

under:

12

“48. … Though the issue of seniority can also be literally

termed as a service problem, we do not think that the

intention was to delegate such disputes to be decided by

the A.C. as a mere service problem. Inter-se seniority

disputes cannot be trivialised and though a problem, in

the literal sense, it falls for determination based on the

applicable rules and the evident facts, tested on the

established legal principles; which require an assertion of

a claim, hearing of affected parties and commend a

judicious adjudication. Service problems would be many

and varied and in every cause when a grievance is raised

by a Judicial Officer it would be difficult for the Full Court

to be convened; nor is it necessary. This is the power

specifically granted to the A.C, but it cannot result in

interference to the recommendations of the Full Court

made to the Governor under Article 233. We would find

the A.C, to be not conferred with the power to so

adjudicate a seniority dispute and ideally the same

should have been placed before the Full Court. We have

answered the said question which is raised in the

appeals, only for future guidance in such matters, which,

it would be inappropriate to leave undecided. We have

already held that the A.C's decision is not legally

sustainable; we also find the A.C. to have no jurisdiction

to decide the issue.”

21.While dealing with the assignment of seniority to the appellant, it

was held that the order in the writ petition filed by the appellant

that the direction to re-cast the select list is sufficient indication

that any person newly selected would have to be assigned the

seniority as on the date of the original selection. The Division

Bench further noticed that it was not by appellant’s fault that his

appointment was delayed.

22.The Division Bench held that the appellant was appointed from the

day he assumes charge though, the appellant had 3

rd

rank after

Babu and Kauser, who were earlier appointed, while Badharudeen,

one of the earlier appointees, was relegated to the 4

th

position. It

13

was further held that the appellant should have been given

notional seniority from the date of appointment of others though,

he would not have any claim for pay and allowances, for the period

when he had not discharged the duties but having returned such

finding, the Division Bench found that the appellant assumed

charge on 24

th

February, 2011 and that he joined without demur in

pursuance of Government Order dated 22

nd

December, 2010 while

the other three were allowed to continue from the date they joined.

Therefore, the appellant waived his right of notional seniority. The

appellant could have filed a contempt petition or a fresh writ

petition to claim date of assuming charge as 30

th

March, 2009. It

was further found that the appellant submitted representation after

more than 1 year on 11

th

April, 2012 followed by a reminder

representation on 18

th

September, 2014 i.e. more than 3½ years

when Mohd. Vaseem and Sophy Thomas continued as seniors of

the appellant. It was held that the appellant slept over his rights

and has allowed the by-transfer appointees to continue with the

seniority. It was also found that Mohd. Vaseem and Sophy Thomas

were granted selection grade earlier than the appellant which order

has not been challenged. The Division Bench of the High Court

concluded that the appellant slept over his rights and rested

contend with the memorials, to which the High Court responded

very late; thus, interfering with the vested rights of the promotees.

The by-transfer appointees continued on the basis of their seniority

and also obtained further promotion in the cadre.

14

23.The delay of further promotions was made basis by the Division

Bench to reject the claim of the appellant for seniority. The Division

Bench further held that the appellant valiantly fought for his rights

before the High Court and this Court. In the normal course, the

High Court would have permitted him to be treated as appointed

on the date on which the other direct recruits in the very same

selection were appointed; but for the delay. The High Court held as

under:

“58. A like situation arises in the present case also.

Sophy Thomas and Muhammed Vaseem were appointed

earlier to Jayachandran. It is pertinent that both the

appointment orders did not contain a condition that it is

subject to appointment of direct recruits. But, however,

as we earlier held, Jayachandran's recruitment was not

delayed because of his fault. He had valiantly fought for

his rights before this Court and the Hon'ble Supreme

Court and obtained a decision in his favour. In the normal

course we would have permitted him to be treated as

appointed on the date on which the other direct recruits

in the very same selection were appointed; but for the

delay. Jayachandran's appointment order was on

22.12.2010 and he took charge on 24.02.2011. The

appointment order, as earlier read, specifically provided

that his appointment would be from the date on which he

takes charge; which is in accordance with Rule 6 of the

Special Rules. Muhammed Vaseem, Sophy Thomas and

Jayachandran continued in service, the former two as

seniors to the latter.

59. As we found, when the Division Bench in favour of

Jayachandran directed re-casting of the select list,

necessarily he should have been appointed from the date

on which the others were appointed after selection;

though notionally. But, the order appointing

Jayachandran specifically said otherwise. He should have

taken appropriate proceedings to correct it, which he did

not. He acquiesced and slept over his rights and filed a

representation on 11.04.2012. The High Court did not act

upon it; nor did Jayachandran approach any Court with

15

his grievance…”

24.The Division Bench of the High Court concluded as under:

“64. …The recommendation made by the Full Court to

appoint Jayachandran from the day he assumes charge,

however illegal or irregular it might be, cannot be

rectified by the A.C. It can only be done by the Full Court

or the Court exercising judicial functions; which

essentially is the power of the State as conceded to the

Courts. We, hence, are of the opinion that Jayachandran's

claim is belated and has to be rejected. Our findings with

respect to the other aspects of the decision of the A.C,

would squarely apply in the case of Jayachandran also.

In the light of the findings above, we allow the

appeals and direct seniority to be assigned to the parties

to the lis from the date of their first appointment.”

25.The learned counsel for the appellant vehemently argued that the

order passed by the Division Bench of the High Court in the earlier

writ petition filed by the appellant has attained finality. The order

was to re-cast the select list. Once the select list is re-casted,

thereafter, the seniority has to be as per merit in the select list.

26.The learned Counsel for the appellant placed reliance on the

judgments of this Court reported as Sanjay Dhar v. J & K Public

Service Commission & Anr.

3

, Sasidhar Reddy Sura v. State of

Andhra Pradesh & Ors.

4

, Lakshmana Rao Yadavalli & Anr. v.

State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.

5

, Balwant Singh Narwal &

Ors. v. State of Haryana & Ors.

6

and Pilla Sitaram Patrudu &

Ors. v. Union of India & Ors.

7

to contend that in case a candidate

3 (2000) 8 SCC 182

4 (2014) 2 SCC 158

5 (2014) 13 SCC 393

6 (2008) 7 SCC 728

7 (1996) 8 SCC 637

16

is wrongfully not appointed, he is entitled to notional seniority from

the date he should have been appointed. It is argued that the

process of non-selection of the appellant cannot defeat the law. It

is further contended that the High Court has completely misread

the order of appointment of the appellant dated 22

nd

December,

2010. It is argued that the appellant could not be appointed w.e.f.

30

th

March, 2009 as he was not borne on the cadre. He was

appointed on 22

nd

December, 2010. The Government on 22

nd

December, 2010 cancelled the appointment of three District and

Sessions Judges and assigned Sl. No. 41 to the appellant in the

Kerala Higher Judicial Service, whereas Babu, Kauser and

Badharudeen were assigned Sl. Nos. 37, 39 and 42 respectively.

The notification published in the official gazette along with

explanatory notes is to the effect that the three officers Babu,

Kauser and Badharudeen were appointed as per notification dated

30

th

March, 2009. They were allowed to continue in service as per

Government Order dated 22

nd

October, 2010, therefore, no fresh

notification in respect of them is required. It is argued that once

the appellant has been given seniority at Sl. No. 41 above

Badharudeen, therefore, it leaves no manner of doubt that the

appellant was assigned seniority above Badharudeen and which

seniority position has not been challenged by Badharudeen.

27.It is also argued that the Administrative Committee has recorded a

categorical finding regarding the cadre strength and also the fact

that by-transfer appointees were beyond their quota. It is not the

17

case of by-transfer appointees (promotee officers), the respondents

herein, that they were within their quota for the promotion.

28.It is also contended that the High Court has gravely erred in

holding that there is quota for direct recruitment but not for the

Officers appointed by transfer. It is contended that 1/3

rd

has to be

of a specific number. Such number was 96 in the year 2007

resolved to be 99 in 2010. The Administrative Committee found

that the quota for appointment by transfer would be 2/3

rd

i.e. 72 in

the year 2007. Since the judgment of the Full Bench in Haneefa’s

case has provided for such interpretation of the Rules wherein it

was held as under:

“63. However, the question whether these appointments

could prejudicially affect the direct recruits, is a separate

issue, and has to be considered. We have already

accepted the contention that Rule 2(b) of the Special Rules

provides a quota for direct recruitment. Once separate

quotas are prescribed for direct recruitment and for

appointment by transfer from the subordinate judiciary,

the ratio prescribed in the rules should be maintained

against the cadre strength. In this context it is apposite to

refer to the Apex Court judgment in Prasad

Kurien v. Augustin (2008 (2) KLT 533 (SC)), in which, after

making reference to Rule 5 of the KS & SSR, it was held

that whenever a ratio or percentage is prescribed in the

rules, it has to be computed on the cadre strength of the

post to which recruitment is made and not on the basis of

the vacancies existing at the time. Since the petitioners

were appointed to posts earmarked for direct recruitment

from the Bar, the fact that Rule 6 of the Special Rules

recognises seniority from the date of first appointment,

will not be of any assistance to them in their claim for

seniority.

xx xx xx

69. Since appointment is to be made from the two

different sources and when the rule prescribes quotas for

18

each of these sources and also the ratio to be maintained,

seniority of appointees to each of these quotas, can be

only from the respective dates of their appointment within

the quota. It is to facilitate fixation of seniority on that

basis and to avoid future disputes that the appointing

authority and the High Court made the approval of the

panel without prejudice to the claims of the direct recruits.

Since the purport of the Special Rules is as understood by

us, we do not find anything illegal in the provision in the

orders issued by of the Government of Kerala or the High

Court, that the approval, appointment and the posting of

the petitioners shall be without prejudice to the claims of

the candidates to be recruited from the Bar.”

29.Mr. P.N. Ravindran, learned senior counsel appearing for the High

Court argued that the finding of the High Court that Administrative

Committee was not competent to decide the representation

pertaining to seniority of direct recruits and promotees is clearly

erroneous. The Full Court Resolution dated 12

th

June, 1986 includes

the Resolution regarding distribution of administrative work in the

High Court. The representations from judicial officers regarding

service problems fall within the jurisdiction of the Administrative

Committee. The delegation to the Administrative Committee

included the decision of representation from the Judicial Officers

regarding service problems.

30.It is argued that Sl. No. 4 in category I of the Appendix A prescribes

the matters which are within the jurisdiction of the Full Court. The

matter of promotion of the Judicial Officers is retained by the Full

Court. It is contended that the appellant stood promoted,

therefore, the grievance of the appellant regarding seniority based

upon representation of number of Officers was required to be

19

decided by the Administrative Committee. Therefore, the Division

Bench of the High Court has misread the delegation to hold that

the Administrative Committee was not competent to decide the

representation pertaining to seniority dispute.

31.On the other hand, Mr. Gaurav Agarwal, Advocate appearing for

respondent Nos. 11 and 12 submitted that respondent Nos. 11 and

12 were within their quota, therefore, they have been rightly

assigned seniority. It is also contended that such respondents have

been granted selection grade on 17

th

March, 2017 before the

Administrative Committee decided to grant seniority to the

appellant. Such rights of the appellant cannot be interfered with.

It is also contended that seniority as per Rule 6 is from the date of

appointment. Since the said respondents were appointed earlier in

point of time than the appellant, therefore, they have been granted

seniority in accordance with the Rules.

32.The learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 9 and 10

submitted that there was no condition in the letter of appointment

of by transfer, that their transfer is subject to the rights of the

direct recruits, therefore, the appellant cannot be granted seniority

from the date of preparation of the select list. It is contended that

Haneefa’s case is distinguishable as it was dealing a case of

reversion consequent to the finding that the transferred employees

were in excess of quota. However, in the present case, no officer

has been reverted, therefore, on facts, the judgment in Haneefa’s

20

case is distinguishable.

33.The learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 5 relied upon an

order passed by this Court in K. Megachandra Singh & Ors. v.

Ningam Siro & Ors.

8

to contend that the appellant cannot claim

seniority list from the date of availability of vacancy.

34.Before we consider the respective arguments of the learned

counsel for the parties, some of the statutory rules are reproduced

hereunder:

“1. Constitution. – The service shall consist of the

following categories, namely:-

Category (1) Selection Grade District and Sessions Judge.

Category (2) District and Sessions Judges (including

Additional District and Sessions Judge).

2. Method of appointment. – (a) Appointment to

category (1) shall be made by the High Court by

promotion from category (2).

(b) Appointment to category (2) shall be made by

transfer from the category 1 Subordinate Judges/C.J.M.s

of the Kerala Judicial Service or by direct recruitment

from the Bar, provided that the number of posts in

category (2) to be filled up or reserved to be filled up by

direct recruitment shall be one-third of the permanent

posts in categories (1) and (2) taken together.

Note. – The rules relating to reservation of appointments

(Rules 14 to 17 in Part II of the Kerala State and

Subordinate Services Rules, 1958) shall apply to

appointments by direct recruitment to category (2).

(c) Appointment by promotion to category (1) and

appointment by transfer to category (2) shall be made on

the basis of merit and ability, seniority being considered

only where merit and ability are approximately equal.

8 Civil Appeal No. 8833 of 2019 decided on 19

th

November, 2019

21

Note. – (i) Previous punishments shall be taken into

account in determining the merit and ability of the

candidate in the selection.

(ii) The District and Sessions Judges on other duty are

also entitled to be considered for promotion to category

(1) provided they are otherwise eligibile.

xx xx xx

6. Seniority. – (1) The seniority of a person appointed

either to category (1) or category (2) shall, unless he has

been reduced to a lower rank as punishment, be

determined with reference to the date of the order of his

first appointment to the said category:

Provided that the seniority of a person appointed to

category (2) prior to the 1

st

January, 1979 shall be

determined with reference to the date from which he was

appointed to the category otherwise than on a temporary

basis, without being subsequently reverted from the

post.

(2) If two or more persons are appointed by the very

same order either to category (1) or to category (2), their

inter se seniority shall be determined by the serial order

in which their names appear in the appointment order.”

35.We have heard learned counsel for the parties and find that the

order passed by the Division Bench of the High Court is not

sustainable.

36.The earlier writ petition filed by the appellant was allowed on 13

th

September, 2010. The Division Bench of the High Court has

directed to re-cast the seniority amongst the seven shortlisted

candidates. The appellant was one of them. The challenge to the

said order by three affected candidates remained unsuccessful

when SLP was dismissed by this Court on 8

th

October, 2010. The

22

SLP was filed by the candidates who were granted benefit of

moderation of marks. Once the direction of the Division Bench has

attained finality, the appellant was entitled to seniority as per the

select list to be revised as per merit of the candidates. In terms of

Rule 6(2), the seniority is to be determined by the serial order in

which the name appeared in the appointment order. The argument

of learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 5 that the

appellant was not appointed by the same appointment order,

therefore, the appellant cannot claim seniority is not tenable. The

appellant was entitled to be appointed along with other three

candidates but because of the action of the High Court in adopting

moderation of marks, the appellant was excluded from

appointment. The exclusion of appellant from appointment was on

account of an illegal act by the High Court which has been so found

by the judgment dated 13

th

September, 2010. Since the select list

has to be revised, the appellant would be deemed to be the part of

the appointment along with other candidates in the same select

list. As the actual date of appointment was on 24

th

February, 2011,

the appellant cannot actually be treated to be appointed on 30

th

March, 2009 but is entitled to notional appointment from that date

and consequential seniority.

37.In Sanjay Dhar, a three-Judge Bench of this Court held as under:

“16. For the foregoing reasons the appeal is allowed.

The judgment under appeal is set aside. It is directed

that the appellant shall be deemed to have been

appointed along with other appointees under the

appointment order dated 6-3-1995 and assigned a place

23

of seniority consistently with his placement in the order

of merit in the select list prepared by J&K PSC and later

forwarded to the Law Department…”

38.In Lakshmana Rao Yadavalli, this Court held as under:

“13. For the reasons recorded in Lakshmana Rao

Yadavalli v. State of A.P. [Set out in paras 1 to 13, above.]

, the present appeals are allowed and it is directed that

the High Court as well as the respondent State will do the

needful for giving appointment to the appellant with

retrospective effect i.e. from the date on which she ought

to have been appointed, however, she shall not be paid

salary for the period during which she has not worked as

a District and Sessions Judge. We are sure that the

respondents will do the needful for the appointment of

the appellant at an early date.”

39.In view of the above, the appellant having been participated in the

same selection process and in view of the direction of the Division

Bench of the High Court, was rightly placed by the High Court by

giving him revised select list placing him at Sl. No. 41 by pushing

Badharudeen from general category candidate to OBC category

candidate at Sl. No. 42.

40.The appellant was wrongfully excluded from the process of

appointment on account of an illegal and arbitrary grant of

moderation of marks. The Government in its Order dated 22

nd

December, 2010 cancelled the appointment of three District and

Sessions Judges who were granted benefit of moderation.

Badharudeen was earlier assigned general category seat but since

the appellant was higher in merit, Badharudeen was pushed down

and adjusted against OBC category seat at Sl. No. 42.

24

Badharudeen has not challenged his pushing down at Sl. No. 42

either before the learned Single Bench of the High Court or before

the Division Bench of the High Court or even before this Court.

Therefore, as respondent, he cannot be permitted to dispute the

grant of seniority to the appellant at Sl. No. 41. The judgment

referred to by learned counsel is not helpful to the arguments

raised as the appellant therein sought seniority as direct recruit

from the time when the vacancies occurred. To raise such an

argument, reliance was placed upon judgment of this Court

reported in Union of India & Ors. v. N.R. Parmar & Ors.

9

,

wherein this Court held that a person is disentitled to claim

seniority from the date he was not borne in the service. The said

finding is in the context of the claim of the appellant to claim

seniority from the date of availability of the vacancies; whereas in

the present case, the appellant is claiming seniority from the date

the other candidates in the same selection process were appointed

but the appellant is excluded on account of an illegal act of the

High Court of the moderation of marks. Therefore, the said

judgment is not of any help to the arguments raised.

41.The Office Memorandum of Government of Kerala dated 22

nd

December, 2010 and later notification of the State Government

appointing the appellant is that of setting aside of selection of

three candidates and appointing the appellant by assigning Sl. No.

41 and Sl. No. 42 to Badharudeen. It is in tune with the merit while

9 (2012) 13 SCC 340

25

preparing the select list. Therefore, such merit could not be

disturbed only for the reason that the appellant has not disputed it

for 1 year and 2 months after his appointment. Admittedly, a

seniority list was circulated in the year 2009 before the

appointment of the appellant, thereafter, no seniority list was

circulated. The appellant has already submitted representation

claiming seniority which representation was accepted on 19

th

October, 2017. An employee has no control over the employer to

decide the representation or to finalise the seniority as per his

wish. The High Court has taken long time to decide the seniority

claim. That fact will not disentitle the appellant to claim seniority

from the date the other candidates in the same selection process

were appointed. The fact that some of the officers have been

given selection grade will not debar the appellant to claim notional

date of appointment as the appellant has asserted his right

successfully before the Division Bench in an earlier round and

reiterated such right by way of a representation. The delay in

deciding the representation by the High Court cannot defeat the

rights of the appellant to claim seniority from the date the other

candidates selected in pursuance of the same selection process.

42.Still further, the Division Bench of the High Court has completely

erred in law in holding that the appellant has delayed the challenge

of his appointment vide order dated 22

nd

December, 2010. The

appellant was appointed pursuant to a direction issued earlier by

the Division Bench. The Division Bench has directed to re-cast the

26

select list and in such select list, the name of the appellant appears

at Sl. No. 3 and that of Badharudeen at Sl. No. 4. The appellant has

submitted the representation on 11

th

April, 2012 i.e. within 1 year

and 2 months of his joining and submitted reminder on 18

th

September, 2014. It is the High Court which has taken time to take

a final call on the representation of the appellant and other direct

recruits. The appellant was prosecuting his grievances in a

legitimate manner of redressal of grievances. Therefore, it cannot

be said that the claim of the appellant was delayed as he has not

claimed the date of appointment as 30

th

March, 2009. The

appellant having been factually appointed vide communication

dated 22

nd

December, 2010, he could not assume or claim to

assume charge prior to such offer of appointment. The appellant

has to be granted notional seniority from the date the other

candidates were appointed in pursuance of the same select list

prepared on the basis of the common appointment process.

43.As per Mr. P.N. Ravindran, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the

High Court, the appellant was assigned seniority at Sl. No. 18

pursuant to the order of the Administrative Committee but

consequent to the order of the Division Bench, seniority list was

revised and the appellant has been placed in seniority below the

Officers appointed by transfer in excess of quota and even below

Badharudeen who never disputed grant of seniority to him at Sl.

No. 42. We also find merit in the argument raised by the learned

counsel that in the year 2007, the cadre strength was 96 and out of

27

which 24 posts fall to the quota of direct recruitment. Though,

there is no clause that the reminder falls to the quota of in-service

candidates, but 1/3

rd

has to be of a specific number. Since specific

cadre strength is 96, therefore, 24 falls to the quota of direct

recruits and 72 falls to the quota of appellant by in-service

candidates. We are unable to agree with the findings recorded by

the Division Bench of the High Court that there is no quota for the

promotee candidates. The findings of the Administrative

Committee or the assertion of the High Court in the counter

affidavit has not been controverted by any Officer. Merely because

the rule does not specifically say that 2/3

rd

is the quota for in-

service candidates, it will not mean that the promotions can be

made irrespective of the cadre strength. The promotions may not

be annulled, modified or reversed but a candidate will get seniority

only if there is a quota meant for appointment of in-service

candidates. As per the High Court, as against cadre strength of 96,

126 officers were working i.e. much more than the cadre strength,

therefore in the absence of any assertion or finding the respondent

Nos. 9 and 10 or respondents Nos. 11 and 12 were within their

quota. The finding of the Division Bench of the High Court that

there is no quota for in-service candidates is clearly erroneous.

The Full Bench in Haneefa’s case has rightly held that the quota

for direct recruitment is 1/3

rd

of the total cadre strength and as a

consequence 2/3

rd

is the quota for in-service candidates. It may be

a case of reversion of candidates appointed in excess of quota of

28

in-service candidates but the fact remains that the quota is 1/3

rd

for

direct recruits and consequently, the 2/3

rd

has to be for in-service

candidates which quota has undergone change with amendment of

Rules on 9

th

June, 2008. As per the amended Rules, 25% is the

quota for direct recruits and 50% is for by-transfer from category I

of Sub-Judges, Chief Judicial Magistrates in the Kerala State Judicial

Services on the basis of merit and ability and 25% of the posts are

contemplated to be filled up by transfer based upon limited

competitive examination and viva voce. Therefore, the finding of

the Division Bench of the High Court is clearly erroneous and

contrary to the Full Bench judgment and, thus, not sustainable in

law.

44.The argument that grant of selection grade to respondent Nos. 11

and 12 was earlier in point of time than the appellant will not

confer any better, legal or equitable right. There was specific

condition in the letter of appointment by transfer of respondent

Nos. 9-10 that their appointment is without prejudice to the

recruitment of direct recruits. Since the rights of the direct recruits

were specifically mentioned, such respondents cannot claim any

protection of their transfer in the cadre only for the reason that

they were granted selection cadre earlier. The finding recorded by

the High Court administratively and by the learned Single Judge is

that the appointment of such candidates was beyond their quota

meant for appointment by transfer. Therefore, they cannot claim

any legal or equitable right. Similarly, respondent Nos. 11 -12 were

29

appointed by transfer to the cadre subject to the condition of rights

of the candidates in the writ petitions pending at that time. The

said writ petitions were decided in the light of the order passed in

the earlier writ petition filed by the appellant on 13.09.2010. The

rights of the appellant to claim notional seniority thus cannot be

said to be unjust which was wrongly interfered with by the Division

Bench in an intra-Court appeal.

45.Consequently, the appeals are allowed and the order passed by the

Division Bench is set aside and the writ petitions are ordered to be

dismissed with no order as to costs.

.............................................J.

(UDAY UMESH LALIT)

.............................................J.

(HEMANT GUPTA)

NEW DELHI;

MARCH 04, 2020.

30