N. MURLEEDHARAN & ORS. ETC. vs THE STATE OF KERALA & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the Kerala High Court's decision to strike down the retrospective application of the promotion rules under G.O. (P) No.851, dated June 16, 1980, which required certain tests for promotion from Lower Division Clerk to Upper Division Clerk. The Court found that the arbitrary fixation of the date January 14, 1963, lacked a rational nexus and rendered compliance impossible. The Court concluded that, given the passage of time and the finality of subsequent promotions under new rules, it was not expedient to revisit the High Court's judgment.