L. RAJAIAH vs INSPECTOR GEN. OF REGN. & STAMPS .

The Supreme Court upheld the Tribunal's order regarding the promotion of the appellant to the post of Senior Assistant under the A.P. State & Subordinate Service Rules. It clarified that while stoppage of increment does not constitute a penalty for promotion, the appellant's prior penalties rendered him ineligible for promotion based on seniority-cum-fitness criteria. The Court concluded that the appellant's juniors were rightly promoted as he was undergoing punishment, thus affirming the Tribunal's decision.