STATE OF RAJASTHAN vs UCCHAB LAL CHHANWAL

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to quash the censure penalty imposed on the respondent, stating that seniority must be prioritized over merit in promotions as per the precedent set in B.V. Sivaiah v. K. Addanki Babu (1998) 6 SCC 720. The Court ruled that the respondent was entitled to promotion to the senior scale in the Rajasthan Police Service against the 1996-97 vacancy, with all consequential benefits. The judgment emphasized the importance of adhering to established promotion criteria in public service.