MERVYN COUTINDO & ORS. vs COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, BOMBAY & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the rotational system for fixing seniority among Appraisers and Principal Appraisers in the Customs Department does not inherently violate Article 16(1) of the Constitution, as it aims to balance promotees and direct recruits. However, applying this system to Principal Appraisers, who are promoted solely from Appraisers, results in inequality and denies equal opportunity, thus rendering the system invalid in that context. The Court distinguished this case from T. Devadasan v. Union of India, emphasizing the unique recruitment source for Principal Appraisers.