Amarjeet Singh & Ors vs Devi Ratan & Ors

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to quash the seniority list dated 12.7.2000, which was issued by the State Government for Excise Inspectors, on the grounds that the promotions made under the amended U.P. Assistant Excise Commissioners Service Rules, 1992 were not in accordance with the principles established in earlier judgments. The Court reiterated that promotions must be based on merit for vacancies that arose before the amendment, as per the unamended Rules. The Court emphasized that the principle of 'seniority subject to rejection of unfit' cannot apply retroactively to vacancies that arose prior to the amendment date.