STATE OF H.P. vs ANJANA DEVI .

The Supreme Court examined the validity of the Himachal Pradesh rules providing for reservation for ex-servicemen in state services under the Demobilised Armed Forces Personnel (Reservation of Vacancies in the Himachal State Non-Technical Services) Rules, 1972 and subsequent amendments. The Court held that the reservation benefits under these rules, including seniority and pay fixation, apply only to those appointed against reserved vacancies, as clarified by the circulars dated 23.5.1975 and 3.5.1983. The Court ruled that Rakesh Chand Sood and Sukh Dev, appointed before the reservation was established, were not entitled to these benefits, affirming the application of the rules as they stood at the time of their appointment.