Z. AJEESUDEEN vs UNION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court held that the seniority of an employee appointed on an adhoc basis cannot be counted from the date of such appointment if it was not made according to the prescribed rules for regular appointments. Citing the case of M.K. Shanmugam Vs. Union of India, (2004) 4 SCC 476, the Court clarified that only those adhoc appointments made through the same process as regular appointments can have their service counted for seniority. The appellant's claim for seniority from the date of adhoc appointment was denied, affirming the principle that adhoc service without adherence to proper procedures does not confer seniority rights.