BALASAHEB VISHNU CHAVAN vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS.

The Supreme Court interpreted Rule 5(2) of the Bombay Judicial Service Recruitment Rules, 1956, which allows for the appointment of District Judges either by promotion or direct recruitment from the Bar. The Court held that a direct recruit serving as an Assistant Judge does not gain seniority over those promoted from the Junior Branch, as they are not considered part of the same cadre. The Court dismissed the appeals, affirming that there was no violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution due to the lack of comparability between the two groups.