K.R. MUDGAL & ORS. vs R.P. SINGH & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the fixation of seniority among civil servants must adhere to the principles laid out in the relevant Office Memoranda, specifically the 1949 and 1959 Memoranda regarding seniority based on length of service and date of confirmation. The Court emphasized the necessity for aggrieved officials to approach the Court at the earliest, as delays can lead to dismissal of petitions on grounds of laches. The Court allowed the appeals by the Union of India, reinstating the seniority of officials appointed prior to the petitioners, thereby upholding the validity of the seniority list published in 1976.