Dhole Govind Sahebrao & Ors vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed a seniority dispute arising from the reconstitution of cadres within the Customs and Central Excise Department, specifically regarding the promotion of Data Entry Operators. The Court held that the provisions of the Central Excise and Land Customs Department Group 'C' Posts Recruitment Rules, 1979, govern the eligibility for promotions, and that the re-amalgamation of the separate cadre must respect the original seniority of the ministerial cadre. The Court emphasized that promotions should not disrupt the established seniority hierarchy, thereby upholding the principles of fair promotion and seniority rights under the 1979 Rules.