T. Vijayan And Ors vs Div. Railway Manager And Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the seniority dispute between direct recruits and promotees for the post of First Fireman under the Railway Establishment Manual. The Court held that the seniority of promotees who were appointed on an ad hoc basis could be counted from their ad hoc appointment date, as per the provisions of the Manual. Consequently, the Court upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal's decision, affirming that the appellants ranked below the respondents in the seniority list, as the latter's ad hoc service was valid and recognized for seniority purposes.