A.N.SEHGAL AND ORS. vs RAJE RAM SHEORAN AND ORS.

The Supreme Court addressed the seniority dispute between promotees and direct recruits in the Haryana Public Service of Engineers under the Haryana Public Service of Engineers Class I PWD (Roads and Buildings Branch) Rules, 1966, specifically Rules 2(1), 5, and 12. The Court held that the promotees, having been promoted against regular vacancies, were members of the service in a substantive capacity, thus establishing that direct recruits cannot claim seniority over promotees who were appointed earlier. The Court upheld the High Court's decision that recognized the promotees' substantive membership in the service, affirming the principle of seniority based on the date of promotion rather than the date of initial appointment.