K. SAMANTARAY vs NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of promotion denial under the 'Promotion Policy for Officers' of the National Insurance Company, emphasizing the distinction between merit-cum-seniority and seniority-cum-merit. The Court held that the promotional policy allowed for merit to be given greater weight as one ascends the hierarchy, thus upholding the employer's decision to deny promotion based on the appellant's performance. The Court affirmed the High Court's ruling that there was no illegality in the decision-making process regarding the promotion denial.