VINOD KUMAR SHARMA vs STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

The Supreme Court ruled that the appellants, who were appointed in different branches of the U.P. Services of Engineers, are not entitled to the benefit of their previous service when they were subsequently appointed in the Irrigation Department. The Court held that the principles established in Vijaya Kumar Shrotriya v. State of UP [(1998) 3 SCC 397] do not apply, as the appellants were not selected through a combined test and did not opt for the Irrigation Department. The High Court's dismissal of their writ petitions was upheld, confirming that their transfer did not confer seniority benefits.