STATE OF BIHAR vs KAMESHWAR PD. SINGH

The Supreme Court addressed the promotion and seniority disputes of police officers under the Bihar Police Manual Rules, specifically Rule 616(c) and Rule 649. The Court held that Brij Bihari Prasad Singh's seniority should be reckoned from 27.7.1971, the date he joined as Inspector, rather than from 2.7.1978 when he was substantively promoted. The Court also allowed the condonation of delay in filing the Special Leave Petition due to the fear of contempt proceedings, thus upholding the High Court's decision regarding Singh's promotion to Dy.SP effective from 25th October, 1975.