H.L. RANDEV AND ORS. vs HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under the Punjab Superior Judicial Service Rules, 1963, the seniority of direct recruits commences from their date of appointment, not upon completion of probation. The Court dismissed the appeal of promotees who argued that their seniority should be based on confirmation dates, stating that they were not members of the service until their appointments post-amendment in 1976. The seniority list prepared by the High Court was upheld as compliant with prior directions, affirming the distinction between promotees and direct recruits regarding seniority calculation.