DEEPAK AGRAWAL vs STATE OF U.P. .

The Supreme Court held that the U.P. Excise Group 'A' Service Rules, 1983, as amended on 17th May, 1999, which excluded Technical Officers and Statistical Officers from the feeder cadre for promotion to Deputy Excise Commissioner, was arbitrary and violated the principles of natural justice. The Court emphasized that vacancies arising prior to the amendment should be filled under the old rules, affirming the principle from Y.V. Rangaiah & Ors. v. J. Sreenivasa Rao & Ors. The Court directed that the appellants be considered for promotion to the post of Deputy Excise Commissioner based on the vacancies that arose before the amendment.