J.C. YADAV & ORS. vs STATE OF HARYANA & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that Rule 22 of the Haryana Service of Engineers Class I PWD (Public Health Branch) Rules, 1961 allows the Government to relax rules for individuals or groups facing hardship. The Court found that the relaxation granted to the appellants, who were promoted despite not meeting the eight-year service requirement, was valid as it addressed a specific situation where no suitable candidates were available. The Division Bench's ruling that relaxation could only be granted in individual cases was overturned, affirming the appellants' promotions.