Secy., Minor Irrigation Deptt.& R.E.S vs Narendra Kumar Tripathi

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of seniority for an employee appointed on an ad hoc basis under the Uttar Pradesh Regularisation of Ad hoc Appointments Rules, 1979. The Court held that the service of the writ petitioner as Assistant Engineer could only be counted from the date of regularization on 14th December, 1989, as per Rule 7 of the 1979 Rules, which stipulates seniority from the date of appointment after selection. The judgment affirmed the High Court's decision and clarified the applicability of the rules regarding ad hoc appointments and their regularization.