MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by A. M. KHANWILKAR, J. I. These appeals emanate from the common judgment and order dated 31" January, 2014 passed by the G High Court ofKerala at Ernakulam in Writ Appeal Nos.953 of2013 and I 019of2013 filed by the appellant. Writ Appeal No.953 of 2013 was filed against the judgment and order dated 23'd June, 2004 passed by the learned Single Judge in OP No.35398 of 2002, whereas Writ Appeal No. I 019 of 2013 was filed against the judgment and order dated 81h April, 20 I0 passed by the learned Single Judge in Writ Petition (C) No. 7801 H of2005.

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 237 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.]

2. The former writ petition (No.35398/2002) was filed by respondent No. l challenging the government order dated 4'h October,. 2002, bearing No. GO. (Rt) No.1972/2002/Home Thiruvananthapuram, issued under the signature of the Principal Secretary to Government of Kerala, Home (A) Department. The said order was passed in compliance of the direction given by the High Court in the earlier writ petition filed by respondent No.l being OP No.6684 of 2001, challenging his non- inclusion in the select list for promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police for the years 2000 and 200 l prep~n:d, by the Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) (for short, 'DPC), in its meeting dated 12th February, 2001 and 7th May, 2001. The High Court vide its judgment dat~d 13th March, 2002 had directed the Competent C Authority to consider the representation of respondent No. l and pass appropriate order in accordance with law. Accordingly, the government order impugned in OPNo.35398/2002 was passed on 4th October, 2002, which reads thus:- ''ANNEXURE P-3 D GOVERNMENT OF KERALA Abstract Police Department-Establishnienl OP N0.668412001 filed by Shri D. Safi Circle Inspector of Police -.Judgment- . Implementation orders issued. · E

HOME (A) DEPARTMENT

G 0. (Rt) No.197212002/Home Dated Thiruvananthapuram 04.10.2002 F Read: 1 Judgment dated 13.03.2002 in OP No.668412001 filed by Shri D. Safi Circle Inspector of Police.

2. Representation dated 06.04.2002from Shri D. Sali Circle Inspector of Police addressed to the Convener Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) G

. ORDER . .. .

The Hon 'b/e High Court I the judgment read as i'" paper above has ordered as follows:

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238 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 1-4 S.C.R.

A "The petitioner has not an efficacious remedy of filing a representation before the Convener of Departmental Promotion Committee against his supersession under Rule 28(b)(i) (8) (a) of the General Rules of the KS & SSR. If the petitioner files a representation before the Convener of the Departmental Promotion Committee, the second respondent B herein, within one month from today, the said respondent shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders thereon threating that the same has been passed within the prescribed time limit. The second respondent shall pass orders as directed above within three months from the date of receipt c of a copy of this judgment" In obedience to the above judgment, the representation from Shri D. Sali Circle Inspector of Police read as 2"d pap.er above was placed before an Ad-hoc Departmental Promotion • Committee (Higher) on 30.04.02 for consideration. The D committee considered the case in detail with relevant records. By virtue of seniority in the cadre of CI of police Shri D_, _ Sali CI of Police was co~sidered for inclusion I the Sf!/ect list of Cis of Police fit for pro.motion- as Deputy Supdt of folice for the year 2001 (both main and supplementary). He was .superseded from the above select lists in view of the E · following: (i) Punishments of.increment for 2 years with cumulative effect vide PHQ Order No. G5/73089/93 dated 06.11.97 (ii) Two vigilance enquiries pending F (iii) An oral Enquiry pending The oral Enquiry has ended up in his exoneration vide Gil · 95453199 dated 20.05.2001. The Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) which met on 09.04.2002 considered his case and decided to include him in the select list of Cis of G Police fit for promotion as Deputy Supdt of Police for the year 2002 conditionally subject to exoneration in the 2 vigilance enquiries pending. One of the above vigilance enquiries has ended in his exoneration. But the vigilance enquiry of a/legation of acceptance of bribe and assessment of wealth is still pending. H

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MOHAMMED FAIZAL KA. v. D. SALI AND ORS. 239 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, l]

The select list prepared by the Departmental Promotion A Committee (Higher which met on 12.02.2001 a-nd 07.05.2001 were/or filling up the vacancies in 2001. As per. - Rule 28(b) (i) (4) of KS & SSr the select list have tp. be prepared during ihe Calendar year for the vacancies anticipated in the next Calendar y~ar. - Hence the B Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) ought to have been convened in 2000. Hence the check period yn<fer ' consideration is 1997, 1998 and 1999. Hence/or assessing the suitability of an Officer the punishment/disciplinary action, vigilance caseslen_9uities and ACR for the above period are taken into consideration. Since, D. Safi CI of C Police was awarded punishment ofincrement bar for 2 years . -with cumulative e//ect during the check period, the committee found that the request of Shri D. Sali CI ofPolice deserves no consideration. The request is hereby rejected. D ,., By order of the convener N. Ramakrishnan Principal Secretary to Govt. "

(emphasis supplied) E

3. The State ofKerala resisted the said writ petition {No. 35398/ 2002) and justified the Government order dated 4th October, 2002. However, the_ arguments put-forth by the State did not find favour with the learned Single Judge who by his judgment dated 23rd June, 2004 held . that the punishment awarded to respondent No.1 in the year 1997 of stoppage of two increments, could- not form the -basis for considering F respondent No. l for promotion in the year 200 l. For, the relevant years . for considering the entitlement for promotion to be made in the year 2001 would be 1998, 1999, and 2000. Accordingly, the learned Single Judge was pleased to quash the Government order dated 4•h October, 2002 and allowed the writ petition in the following terms:- G "6, In the above vie~ of the matter, Ext. P3 order is /iabfo to be quashed. I do so. Thfire shall be a directio_n to the third ·respondent to convene an ad hoc D.P.C. for the purpose of considering the case of the petitioner for the x..ear 2001. · H

p. 240

A The merit of the petitioner vis-a-vis others who were eligible to be considered for the year 2001 shall be assessed on the basis ofthe confidential records ofthe petitioner for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 and any other relevant material pertaining to the select list/or 2001. If the petitioner is found entitled/or inclusion on the basis ofsuch assessment of merit B his name shall be included in the select list for the year 2001 in the appropriate place among officers who were included in the year 2001. This shall be done within four months from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. lf the petitioner finds a place in the select list for 2001 his claim c for promotion on that basis shall be considered in accordance with law. Original Petition is disposed of a<;cordingly. " (emphasis supplied)

D 3. Pursuant to the aforesaid direction issued by the High Court, th1: case of respondent No. I was re-examined by the Department. After considering all aspects of the matter, the Depai1ment issued order dated 20 1h November, 2004, bearing GO. (Rt) No. 2527/04/Home, under the signature of Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary to Government, Home (A) Department, which reads thus:- E "ANNEXURE P-6 GOVERNMENT OF KERALA Abrstract Home Department - Establishment OP No.35398102 filed F by Shri D. Sali, Circle Inspector of Police-Judgment implementation Orders issued.

HOME (A) DEPARTMENT GO. (Rt) No 2527104/Home dated Thiruvananthapuram, G 20.11.2004

Read: 1) Judgment dated 23.06.2004 in O.P. No.35398102

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MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 241 [A. M: KHANWILKAR, J.]

2) Represf!ntation dated 24.07.200Jsubmit(ed,by Shri D. A Safi ORDER Shri D. Safi, Circle Inspector of Police was superseded from the select list of Circle Inspector fit for promotion as Dy.Sps for the year 2000 and 2001 (i.e. for the vacancies in 2000 B & 2001) by the Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) , held on 12.07.2001 in view of the penalty for Increment Bar for 2 years with cumulative effect awarded to him vide PHQ Order No.GS/73080193 dated05.11.97 and a Vigilance Case, Vigilance Enquiry and an Oral Enquiry pending against him during the check period. He was subsequently included in the s~lect lists for the years 2002 & 2003 conditionally subject to exoneration in the 2. Vigilance Enquiry and an non Oral Enquiry pending against him. Though lie was . awarded a penalty of Increment Bar of 3 months without cumulative effect on 02.07.2001 considering the nature and.· gravity of the charges against him the cornmittee included him in the select list conditionally. One of the Vi,gilance_ · Enquiries has been dropped by Government. But he· was not cleared the promotion since a Vigilance Tribunal enquiry has been ordered against him vide GO(MS) No.4104/Vig dated - :E 25.02.04 based on the other Vigilance Enquiry.

2. Based on the directions contained in. the judgment dated 13.03.2002 in OP No.6684101 filed by him the ad"hoc Departmental Pr01noiion Committee (Higher) filed on 30.04.02 examined his case and rejected h~s request for F , inclusion in the select list. A r~ply in the matter was given to him vide GO /Rt) No. 1972/Home dated 01.10.02.

3. In the judgment dated 23.06.04 in OP No.35398/02filed by him the Hon 'ble High Court have quashgd the above . .,, Government order rejecting~his request for inCtusion in the· G select list and directed the Conyenei; Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) to convene an Ad-hoc Departmental . Promotion' Committee (Higher) for the purpose of •·· considering the case of the petitioner for year 2001. In the .. -. ----.....~-·--:-~ '

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242 SUPREME COURT REPORTS .[2017] 14 S.C.R.

A judgment it is also ordered that the merit of the petitioner vis-a-vis others who were eligible to be considered for the /, year 2001 shall be assessed on the basis of the Confidential Reports of the petitioner for the years 1998, 1999 & 2000 and any other relevant material pertaining to the select list for 2001. If the petitioner is found entitled for inclusion on B the basis of such assessment of merit his name shall be included in the select list for the year 2001 in the appropriate place among officers who were included in the year 2001.

4. In the light of the above facts, the Adhoch Departmental Promotion Committee held on 24.09.2001 examined his case c in detail with all the relevant records. As per Rule 28(b) (i)4(a) of KS & SSRs select list has to be prepared during a calendar year for the vacancies anticipated in the next calendar year. Accordingly, select list for the vacancies in 2001 has to be prepared in 2000 (i.e. during September/October 2000) for D which the check period will be 1999, 1998 & 1997. But while preparing the select list the year was wrongly mentioned as 2001 instead of 2000. But the Departmental Promotional Committee had taken the check period as 1997, 1998 & 1999 in respect of all the officers included in the filed of choice. The punishments awarded, adverse entries in Confidential E Report and the disciplinary proceedings etc during the years from 1997 were taken into account while assessing suitability of the officers for inclusion in the select list for the year 2000 (for the vacancies in 2001).

5. The committee found that the petitioner was awarded a F major punishment (i.e. increment bar for 2 years with cumulative effect vide PHQ order No.G5/73080/93 dated 05.il.97) during the check period which is still pending. The review petition against the above punishment was rejected by Government vide GO(Rt) No.3220101/Home G dated 18.09.2001. Th'! Committee therefore found that the petitioner is not entitled/or inclusion in the select list ofCircle Inspector list for promotion as Dy.SPs for the year 2000 i.e. for the vacancies in 2001. The Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) which held H on 24. 09.2004 examined his case and decided to include

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALI AND.ORS. 243 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.] . .. :

him in the select list for the year 2003 and the select list was . A· issued accordingly as per notification No. 44663iA2/04/ .. Home daied 28.10.2004. ,_ In the circumstances stated above the .request contained in the representation read as 11 paper above is hereby rejected. (By Order of the Governor) . B . N. Ramakrishnan Additional Chief Secretary and Principal.Secretary to Government. "

(emphasis supplied) C · ~s. The respondent No.I assailed the aforementioned order by filing another writ petition, bearing Writ Petition (C) No. 7801 of 2005. The State resisted· the said writ petition and justified its decision / considering the fact that the punishment awarded to respondent No: I on S'h .November, ,1997 of stoppage of increment f~r two years with cum.ulative effect, was in force during th~ check perfod. For whiCh D reason, the DPC decided to include the name ofresJJondent No.I in.the select list for the year 2003 and th_e list was .issued -accordingly'_as R.er · notification No.44663/A2/04 dated 28th October, 2004. The learned Single .. __ _ Judge of the High Court, however, opined that in view of the direction_ issued by the Court.vide order dated 2J'd June, 2004 in OP No.35398 of.· E 2002,it was not open to. the Competent Authority to consider the punishment imposed on respondent No. I in the year 1997 to-deny his · inclusion in the select list for the year 2001. The relevant portion of the judgment of the High Court dated Sth Apfil, 20 I 0, reads thus:- "5. I am of opinion that Ext. P4 judgment,' which has become .F final, co~cludes the issue squarely in favour oj the petitiondl: · In Ext. P4 judgment, this Court has considered all aspects ' - : of the matter and decided that, for the purpose. of considering the petitioner for inclusion in the select list for the year 2001, his' confidentfol records/or the years 2000, 1999 and 1998 only could have been considered. Bzit in G Ext. P5, the very same punishment . . imposed. in 1997 relied .; - .. upon earlier to deny him inclusion i~ the seled list, has Been · relied upon, which was found to be unsustainable in Ext. P4 judgment. Therefore, I-have no hesitation to nold that Ext. H

p. 244

A P5 order is in total disregard to Ext. P4 judgment of this Court. In the above circumstances, Ext. P5, to the extent the· petitioner has been excluded from the select list for 2001 is quashed. In so far as despite Ext. P4 judgment from this Court, the respondents have not chosen to consider the molter in the right perspective as directed therein, I am not B inclined to leave it again to the respondents to pass fresh orders. The respondents have no case that without relying on the punishment of 1997, the petitioner can be validly denied inclusion in the select list for the year 2001. In fact he was included in the select list for the year 2003 and c promoted also. ... Therefore, there would be a direction to the respondents to include the petitioner in the select list for the year 2001 in the appropriate place in accordance with his seniority. All promotions for the year 2001 shall be reviewed on the basis / D of such inclusion of the petitioner in the select list for the year 2001 and fresh dates ofpromotion as Dy. Superintendent of Police shall be assigned to him accordingly. The petitioner would consequently be entitled to all service benefits and seniority arising there from including monetary benefits thereof. Orders in this regard shall be passed and monetary E benefits disbursed to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment. The writ petition is allowed as above. "

F 5. The concerned authorities acting upon the said decision issued order on 27'h June, 2012 and placed respondent No. l in the select list as per notification dated 12th February, 2001 at Serial No.6(a) and gave him notional promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police with effect from l 9'h March, 200 I. The said order reads thus:- "ANNEXURE P-11 G GOVERNMENT OF KERALA Abstract Home Department-Police Establishment - Sri D. Sali, Deputy Superintendent of Police - Notional Promotion to the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police, granted - Orders issued H

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 245 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.]

HOME (A) DEPARTMENT .A G.0.(Rt) No.1934112002/Home Dated Thiruvananthapuram 27.06.2012

Read: (1) Notification No. 44702/A212001/Home dated 22.02.iooi · B (2) Notification No. 85137/A2120101Home dated 09.02.2001

. (3) G.0. (Rt) No. 82512001/Home dated 03.03.2001 -'

(4) Letter No. A2-70300/10 dated 04.05.2011 from the State Police Chief. · Kera/a, thiruvananthapuram ORDER Sri D. Sali, Deputy Superintendent of Police was superseded from the select list of Circle Inspectors of Police fit for promotion as Deputy Superintendent of Police for the year 2001 vide Notification read as f" paper above. The Ad-hoc Departmental Promotion Committee (Higher) held on 12.02.2001 decided to include him as shown below in the ·,.. above select list as per the Notification read as 2"d paper ~~- . E SI. No.6 Sri D. Madhu SI. No.6(a) Sri. D. Sali SI. No. 7 Sri K Manoharan Kumar F The State Police Chie, in his letter read as 4'h paper above, has reported that Sri K. Manohara Kumar, who is the immediate junior to Sri D. Safi as per the notification read as i"' paper above, was promoted to the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police as per the Government Order read as 3"' paper above and he took charge of the post of Deputy G Superintendent of Police on 19.03.2001 FN. Hence the State Police Chief has requested to sanction notional promotion to Sri D. Safi, Deputy ·superintendent of Police in the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police with effect from the FN of 19.03.2001. H

p. 246

A , (3) Government have examined the matter in detail and they are pleased to order that Sri. D.Sa(i is notionally promoted to the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police with effect from the FN 19.03.2001, i.e., the date a/assumption of charges by Sri K. Manoharan Ku"!ar, Deputy Superintendent . of Police, who is the immediate junior to Sri D. Safi, subject B to the condition that he will not be eligible for back arrears · of pay and allowance. By order of the Governor N.B. BALAKRISHNAN Under Secretary to Government". -·-c 7. Not only'that, the Department considered the respondent No. I for further promotion to the post of Superintendent of Police (non-IPS) but also, later on, for IPS cad.re in 2010. The appellant then assailed the decisions of the High Court dated 23'd June, 2004 and 81h April, 2010 by filing two separate writ appeals before the Division Bench of the High D C~uri. For the present, it may not be necessary to advert to the events that unfolded after the decision of the learned Single Judge of the High Court in the third writ petition dated 8th April 20 I 0. Inasmuch as, the matter in issue in the writ appeals is in respect of the correctness of two decisions dated 23'd June, 2004 and 8'h April 20 I0, respectively. ~

8Copy pinpoint8. The writ appeals were opposed by respondent No. I, interalia, oil the ground that the same were barred by limitation and suffered from !aches. Further, the appellant has no locus to challenge the inclusion of respondent No. I, in the select list for 200 I because the appellant became eligible for inclusion in the select list for promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police only in 2002. Even on merits, it was contended F by respondent No. I that the Competent Authority committed no error in including him in the select list of2001 and to consider him for promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police against the vacancies of

2001. Since, his claim for promotion was being considered against the vacancies of2001, the check period would necessarily be 1998, 1999 G and 2000 and for which reason punishment awarded to him in the year 1997 cannot be reckoned or used against him to deny ilim promotion in the year 2001.

9Copy pinpoint9. The Diyision Bench after considering the rival submissions held that no error was committed by the learned Single Judge in the H

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALI AND ORS. 247 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.)

interpretation or the application of Rule 28 of the Kerala State and A Subordinate Service Rules. The Division Bench also upheld the opinion of the learned Single Judge that the punishment awarded to respondent No. I in the year 1997 could not be reckoned for considering his claim . . for promotion against vacancies of2001. Further, the Division Bench noted that the appellant was not entitled to be considered nor was eligible to be included in the select list of2001 and that the direction given by the ' learned Single Judge was in relation to considering the eligibility and entitlement of respondent No.I, for promotion to the post of Deputy __, Superintendent of Police against the vacancies of 2001. The Division Bench held that the directions issued by the learned Single Judge were not to interdict the seniority list or adjudicate the inter-se seniority dispute which may have necessitated the presence of other officers who were likely to be affected by such adjudication, Therefore, the appellant was neither a necessary nor proper party to the writ petition. Thus, the Division Bench rejected the challenge to the Impugned decisions of the learned Single Judge because of non-impleadment of the 'appellant in the writ petitions. The Division Bench also held that the appeals have been filed belatedly and without challenging the promotion of the first respondent or the re-assigned seniority position to him, which inevitably resulted in pushing down the appellant and making him junior to respondent No. f. The Division Bench was of the view thatthe consequential orders issued by the Competent Authorities were relatable to two judgments and there was no infirmity in those judgments. Resultantly, both the writ appeals came to be dismissed by the comm<;m impugned judgment and order dated 31st January, 2014. r

10Copy pinpoint10. Aggrieved, the· appellant has taken,recourse to the present appeals. The arguments, as were canvassed before the Division Bench F of the High Court have been reiterated by both the sides.

11Copy pinpoint11. We have heard Mr. Jaideep Gupta, learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant and Mr. Dileep Pillai and Mr. C.K. Sasi, learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

12Copy pinpoint12. The moot question is: whether the appellant had locus to G challenge the decisions of the le11rned Single Judge dated 23rd June, 2004 and 8th April, 20 I 0, respectively? Indeed, from the indisputable facts emerging from the record, the appellant was appointed as Sub Inspector of Police on 12th October, 1981 in the 13th batch after the respondent H

p. 248

A No.I was already appointed on that post on 2211d June, 1981, in the 12'h batch. It is also noticed that the appellant was promoted to the post of Circle Inspector on I" June, 1994 after respondent No. I was already promoted on the said post in January, 1992. Since; respondent No.I was promoted in earlier point of time, he became eligible for being considered fo! promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police in February, 2001 at which point of time the appellant was not eligible in that regard. The appellant became eligible to be considered for such promotion only in2002.

13Copy pinpoint13. In the backdrop of these events we will examine the challenge that we must address in the present appeals. The· 1is commenced at the behest of respondent No. I because ofhfa non-inclusion in the select list for the years 2000-200 I prepared by the DPC in February 200 I. We will analyse the reasons for such non-inclusion and the justness thereof a little later.

14Copy pinpoint14. Be that as it may, the appellant, as aforementioned, was not eligible to,be included in the said list. So understood, it must follow that the appellant cannot be an aggrieved party if any order was to be passed in favour of respondent No. I. However, the appellant asserts .that he is aggrieved because of the illegality in the decision to promote respondent No.I against the vacancy in 2001 on two counts. Firstly, because the E · appellant was already selected and promoted to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police on !3tli September, 2002 and, thus, became senior to respondent No. I in that cadre which was a selection post. Secondly, because of the wrongful inclusion and moreso, promotion of respondent No.I to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police and also re-assigning notional seniority position as I9'h March, 200 I in fortherance of the impugned decision rendered by the learned Single Judge, dated 8th April, 2010, inevitably, it has resulted in making the appellant junior to respondent No. I in the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police and also affected his prospects of further promotion and seniority. That has given rise to the cause of action for the appellant to challenge the decisions 'of the High Court but for which the respondent No. I could not have entered the stated cadre before ! 4th January, 2005. We find force in this submission. It is true that the appellant may not be eligible to be included in the select list for.the year 200 I, but it is open to him to point out that respondent No. I could never have been legitimately included in the select list until 2003 and before which date the appellant H

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 249 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.]

__. was alread.fpromoted to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police A and had been assigned seniority on that basis. The respondent Nol, however, was promoted to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police and joined that cadre later only on 14'h January, 2005. As these just reasons have been glossed over or discarded as a result of the decision ofthe learned Single Judge, in particular dated S•h April, 2010, the appellant B is directly affected by the outcome of such decision in the matter of his seniority. Hence; he can be said to be an aggrieved person to challenge the High Court decision; and if that challenge succeeds;· all the consequential steps taken by the Competent Authority on the basis of such decision must stand effaced as non-est. In that, the appellant had already been selected and prompted to the post ofDeputy Superintendent C of Police on l3 1hSeptember, 2002. It is because of the decision of the High Court dated Slh April, 2010 the Competent Authorities gave notional date of promotion to respondent No. I in that cadre as l 91hMarch, 2001 and re-assigned the seniority to him 111aking the appellant junior to respondent No. I, even though selected and promoted in earlier pointof time. . .

· 15. Indeed, the Division Bench has.rightly distinguished the . decisions of this Court in the case of State of Uttaranchal and Anr. Vs. Madan Mohan Joshi and Ors.'; J(M. Rashmi Mishra Vs. M.P. Public Service Commission and Ors.2 ; and Suresh Vs. Yeotmal District Central Cooperative Bank Limited and Anr. 3 ; having held that the !is before the learned Single Judge was not in relation to adjudication of inter-se seniority position of the parties but was for determination ofeligibility and entitlemenfof respondent No. I to consider him for promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

16Copy pinpoint16. Be that as it may, the appellant could still challenge the decision of the learned Single Judge dated 81hApril, 20 I0, for the reasons indicated hitherto. The appellant, however, will have to point out the manifest illegality or error committed in the matter of giving promotion to respondent No. I against the vacancy of 2001 and succeed in that behalf.· G

17Copy pinpoint17. We may, therefore, without dilating on any other contention, straightaway advert to the background in which the two decisions ~ere •(2oos) 6sec 191 1 (2006) 12 sec 724 1 (2008) 12 sec 558 H

p. 250

A· passed by the learned Single Judge of the High Court. The first impugned decision was rendered by the learned Single Judge on 23'd June, 2004. The relevant portion of this decision has been extracted in paragraph 6, above. The crux of the direction issued by the Court was to consider the claim ofrespondent No.I for promotion against the vacancy of 200 I on B the basis of his Confidential Records forthe years 1998, 1999and 2001 "in accordance with law". We find no infirmity in the direction so issued by the High Court. For, the nature of direction given by the learned Single Judge vide judgment dated 23rd June, 2004, provided full play to the DPC to select or not to select respondent No. I against the vacancies of 200 I after considering the Confidential Records ofrespondent No. I C for three preceding years, i.e. 1998, 1999 and 2000 "in accordance with law''. This is how the DPC as well as the Competent Authority of the State understood the direction and after due deliberations issued an order on 20'h November, 2004. As a result, the Competent Authority while considering the claim referred to the fact that major punishment D (i.e. increment bar for two years with cumulative effect vide PHQ Order No.GS/73080 dated S'h November, 1997) was still operating against respondent No. I. That punishment was to operate for two years with cumulative effect from 1997.

18Copy pinpoint18. The question is: whether consideration of punishment awarded. in 1997, for promotion of respondent No. I against the vacancy of2001 E was permissible? True it is that the check period for selection against vacancies of 2001, would be 1998, 1999 & 2000. However, as the punishment awarded in 1997, transcended beyond 1997, as it was to operate for a period of two years, the argument ofrespondent No. I that the punishment given in 1997 could not be reckoned is untenable. The F learned Single Judge whilst considering the third writ petition of respondent No. I decided on 8'h April, 2010, however, observed that taking that punishment into account was against the spirit of the decision dated 23rd June, 2004 [rendered in the second writ petition (No.35398/2002) filed by respondent No. I]. In our opinion, the learned Single Judge as well as the Division Bench of the High Court committed palpable error and G misread the previous decision dated 23rd June, 2004 rendered in the second writ petition. As aforementioned, on a plain reading of the said judgment dated 23rd June, 2004, it is crystal clear that the Competent Authorities were directed to reconsider the claim ofrespondent No. I by taking into account the check period as 1998, 1999 & 2000 "in accordance with H

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 251 [A. M. KHANWIJ,,KAR, J.]

law", for promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police A against the vacaneies in the year 2001. From the entire judgment dated_ 23'd June, 2004, we are unable to discern any opinion recorded by the learned Single Judge that the punishment even ifit were to operate beyond 1·997 and during the check period, cannot be taken into account by the DPC for determining the merit and ability of the candidate concerned. B The legal position on this issue is no more res integra. In the case of Union ofIndia and Ors; Vs. K. V. Jankiraman and Ors. 4, in paragraph 29 the Court observed thus: · "29. According to us, the Tribunal has erred)n holding that when an officer is found guilty in the discharge of his duties, an imposition of penalty is all that is necessary to improve c his conduct and to enforce discipline and ensure purity in the administration. In the first instance, the penalty short of dismissal will vary from reduction in rank to censure. We are sure that the Tribunal has not intended that the promotion should be given to the officer from the original date even when the penalty imparted is of reduction in rank. On principle, for the same· reasons, the officer cannot be rewarded by promotion as a matter of course even if the penalty is other than that of the reduction in rank. An employee has no right to promotion. He has only a right to be considered for promotion. The promotion to a post and more so, to a selection post, depends upon several circumstances. To qualify for promotion, the least that is expected of an employee is to have an unblemished record. That is the minimum expected to ensure a Clean and efficient administration and to protect the public interests, An employee .f found guilty of a misconduct cannot be placed on par with the other employees and his case has to be treated differently. There is, therefore, no discrimination when in the matter of promotion, he is treated differently. The least that is expected of any administration is·that it does not reward an employee with promotion retrospectively from a date when for his G conduct before that date he is penalised in presentii. When . an employee is held guilty and penalised and is, therefore, not promoted at least till the date on which lie is penalised, • (1991) 4 sec 109 H

p. 252

A he cannot be said to have been subjected to a further penalty on that account. A denial ofpromotion in such circumstances is not a penalty but a necessary consequence of his conduct. In fact, while considering an employee for promotion his whole record has to be taken into consideration and if a promotion committee takes the penalties imposed upon the B employee into consideration and denies him tlte promotion, such denial is not illegal and unjustified. If. further. the promoting authority can. take into consideration the penalty or penalties awarded to an employee in the past while considering his promotion and deny him promotion 011 that c ground, it will be irrational to hold that it cannot take the penalty into consideration when it is imposed at a later date because of the pendency of the proceedings, although it is for conduct prior to the date the authority considers the promotion. For these reasons, we are of the view that the Tribunal is not right in striking down the said portion of the D second subparagraph after clause iii) of paragraph 3 of the said Memorandum. We, therefore, set aside the said findings of the Tribunal." (emphasis supplied)

19Copy pinpoint19. This decision has been followed in the case of State ofT.N. Vs. Thiru K.S. Murugesan and Ors., 5 which is directly on the point. Although this decision was brought to the notice of the Division Bench, to say the least, the same has not been analysed by it in proper perspective, as is clear from paragraph 21 of the impugned judgment dated 81h April, 2010. There is yet another decision which has taken the F same view in the case of L. Rajaiah Vs. Inspector General of Registration & Stamps, Hyderabad and Ors. 6 The Court has unambiguously noted that if the incumbent is undergoing punishment during the relevant check period he will not be eligible for promotion for the relev.ant period. Similar view is taken in the case of Collector of G Tltanjavur Disitt. and Ors. Vs. S. Rajagopalan and Ors.'.

'(1995} 3 sec 213 • (1996} s sec 246 'c2000) 9 sec 145

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MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 253 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.]

20Copy pinpoint20. In the present case, it is indisputable that the punishment awarded to respondent No. I, vide order dated 5th November, 1997, is to withhold increments for two years with cumulative effect. That obviously was to operate beyond two years from 1997. As mentioned in the counter affidavit filed by the Additional Secretary of the State before the High Court dated 19th January, 2004 in O.P. No.35398 of2002, that aspect was duly considered by the DPC and the Competent Authority whilst passing the order dated 20th November, 2004. It is for that reason, the DPC held on 24th September, 2004 examined the case of respondent No. I and decided to include him in the select list only for year 2003 as per Notification dated 28th October, 2004.

21Copy pinpoint21. Indeed, the said order dated 20th November, 2004, was ·-c· assailed by respondent No. I by way ofWritPetition (Civil) No. 780 I of

2005. But, unfortunately, the learned Single Judge of the High Court did not. examine these crucial aspects though specifically raised by the Department to oppose the writ petition. The Court instead was swayed away by the fact that consideration of punishment awarded in 1997 to respondent No. l, would be against the spirit of the earlier decision dated 23rd June, 2004 of the High Court and was impermissible. Having so held, the learned Single Judge proceeded to issue direction to the Competent Authorities on which the Competent Authorities acted upon without any demur. Whereas, it is amply clear that the learned Single Judge whilst deciding writ petition OP No.35398/2002 nor the subsequent writ petition No. 7801/2005 adjudicated, much less answered, the issue . of permissibility or otherwise of taking note of the effect of punishment . awarded to respondent No. I operating for two years beyond 1997 and overlapping with the check period for vacancy of 200 I. F

22Copy pinpoint22. The .fact that the Competent Authorities were ill-a\ivised not to challenge such untenable direction of the learned Single Judge, would not preclude the aggrieved person from challenging the same. As noticed · • earlier, the consequence of allowing the second impugned decision of the learned Single Judge (dated S•h April, 2010) to remain in the field entailed in allocation of notional date of promotion and seniority to G respondent No.I as J91h March, 2001.As, the seniority position of respondent No. I was re-assigned on that basis, it directly affected the appellant who was already promoted to the post of Deputy Superintendent

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p. 254

A of Police in earlier point of time on 13 1hSeptember, 2002. If the notional date of promotion allocated to respondent No. I as I 4'h January, 2005 in terms of the order dated 20•h November, 2004, was to remain in force, the respondent No.I would remain junior to the appellant at serial No.285 as against the seniority position of appellant at serial No.208 as per the B provisional seniority list published in 2012. The respondent No. I was upgraded in the Seniority List in terms of government orders dated 27'h June, 2012, bearing No. G.O. (Rt) No.1934/2012/Home and dated 7'" January, 2013 bearing No.G.0. (Rt) No.43/2013/Home, respectively. As a con~~quence of these orders, the appellant was shown as junior to respondent No. I in the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police and C Superintendent of Police (non-IPS), respectively.

23Copy pinpoint23. Thus; the appellant was justified in challenging the impugned decision of the learned Single Judge dated 8'h April, 20 I 0 by way of subject writ appeals, because of the consequential orders passed by the Competent Authorities allocating notional date of promotion and D assignment of seniority to respondent No. I. The delay in filing writ appeals, in our view, has been duly explained by the appellant. Further, the ord~rs . passed by the Competent Authorities are the product of direction given by the learned Single Judge. That will have to be effaced as non-est consequent to setting aside of the untenable decision of the learned Single Judge dated 8th April, 2010. E

24Copy pinpoint24. The faet that the subsequent decisions of the Competent Authorities have not been specifically challenged by way of substantive proceedings by the appellant, would not come in the way of the appellant having succeeded in getting the order dated 20'h November, 2004 issued under the signature of Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary to F Government of Kerala, revived and restored. The authorities may have to re-visit the case of respondent No.I to allot him date of promotion in terms of order dated 20th November, 2004 and restore his seniority position in the cadre of Deputy Superintendent of Police as 14'h January, 2005 and correspondingly re-allocate the notional date of promotion for the G n,ext promotion to the post of Superintendent of Police (Non-IPS/IPS Cadres) respectively, if respondent No. I has completed the qualifying service period for being considered for promotion thereto. We have no hesitation in holding that merely because other officers similarly placed • (1996) 6sec121 H

MOHAMMED FAIZAL K.A. v. D. SALi AND ORS. 255 [A. M. KHANWILKAR, J.]

as appellant have not questioned the impugned decision, will also be no impediment in reviving and restoring the government order dated 20'h November, 2014-as no prejudice will be caused to them in so directing.

25Copy pinpoint25. Having said this, it may not be necessary for us to diiate on·. other issues raised by the appellant, including aboutthe interpretation of , Rule 28 by the learned Single Judge and upheld by the Pivision Bench of the High Court - that it is mandatory to prepare a select list on year-to- year basis, as expounded in the case of Union of India and Ors. Vs. Vipin Chandra Hiralal Sltah. 8 We leave that and all other contentions raised before the High Court or this Court, not specifically answered in this judgment open. For, it is not necessary for us to dwell upon the same and also to obviate prolixity of the judgment. · c

26Copy pinpoint26. Accordingly, we hold that the Division Bench has completely glossed over the aforementioned legal position regarding the efficacy of the punishment awarded to respondent No. I in 1997, which transcended to subsequent years, overlapping with the check period of 1998, 1999 & ·

2000. D

27Copy pinpoint27. A priori, these appeals must succeed. The impugned common judgment and order of the Division Bench of the High Court ofKerala dated 31" January, 2014 in Writ Appeal Nos.953 and 1019 of2013, and the judgment arid orderofthe learned Single Judge dated 8'h April, 2010 in Writ Petition (C) No.780 l of 2005 are set aside. As regards the impugned order dated 23'd June, 2004, in our view, it gives li benign direction to the State Authorities to consider the case of respondent No.l in accordance with law and nothing more. As a result, the order · issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, Government ofKerala, Home· . (A) Department, dated 20'h November, 2004 is revived and restored and all subsequent consequential orders/notifications issued in relation to the subject matter concerning the promotion and seniority of respondent · No. I will stand effaced as non-est. As a consequence, the concerned authorities must re-visit the case of respondent No.l and allot him the date of promotion and seniority to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police w.e.f. 14th January, 2005 and thereafter to re-allocate fresh notional date of _promotion to the next higher selection posts, namely, Superintendent of Police (Non-IPS & JPS), as the case may be, if and upon respondent No. I fulfilling the eligibility and qualifying service period therefor. ·· H

p. 256

28Copy pinpoint28. We direct the concerned authorities of the State Government to complete the necessary formalities in furtherance of this order within three months from today and issue appropriate notification(s) as may be required in that regard.

29Copy pinpoint29. The appeals are allowed in the above terms. No order as to B costs.

Ankit Gyan Appeals allowed.