KARAM CHAND vs HARYANA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD & ORS.

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of seniority fixation under Rule 9 of the Punjab P.W.D. (Electricity Branch) Provincial Service Class III (Subordinate Posts) Rules, 1952. The Court held that seniority should normally be determined by the date of appointment, but exceptions exist, particularly in cases of temporary promotions. The Court ruled that the appellant, a Scheduled Caste employee, was entitled to have his seniority recognized from the date of his promotion to Deputy Superintendent, thus reversing the High Court's dismissal of his writ petition.