DHOLE GOVIND SAHEBRAO vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed a seniority dispute arising from the reconstitution of cadres in the Customs and Central Excise Department, specifically regarding the promotion of Data Entry Operators under the Central Excise and Land Customs Department Group ‘C’ Posts Recruitment Rules, 1979. The Court held that the bifurcation and subsequent amalgamation of the ministerial cadre and the electronic data processing cadre must respect the original seniority of employees, thereby ensuring that promotions do not unjustly elevate junior employees over their seniors. The judgment emphasized adherence to the principles of fair promotion and seniority as outlined in the 1979 Rules.