Balbir Singh Bedi vs State Of Punjab & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the promotion criteria under Rule 8 of the Punjab Home Guard, Class-I Rules, 1988, mandates 'seniority-cum-merit' for promotions to the post of Battalion Commander. The Court found that the High Court erred in dismissing the appellant's claim for promotion without adequately considering his seniority and the timing of the executive instructions issued after the vacancy arose. The Court set aside the High Court's order, emphasizing that the promotion process must adhere to the established rules without retroactive application of new criteria.