N. Birendra Singh vs L. Priyokumar Singh & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of seniority and regularization of service under the Assam Service Rules, particularly in relation to the promotion of the appellant as an Assistant Engineer. The Court held that the appellant's service should be regularized from the date of his initial ad-hoc appointment on 5.2.1980, as per the directions of the Gauhati High Court, and that seniority must be determined accordingly. The Court emphasized that the principles of fair play and justice necessitate that the seniority be reckoned from the date of regularization, thus upholding the appellant's claim.