ARUN KUMAR NIRANJAN vs DISTRICT BASIC EDUCATION OFFICER

The Supreme Court held that the appellant's refusal to accept promotion in 2007 could not lead to penal consequences under the amended rules introduced in January 2010, as the charges against him were based on conduct prior to the amendment. The Court restored the judgment of the learned Single Judge, which had ruled in favor of the appellant, emphasizing that the Division Bench erred in its interpretation of the timeline of events. The Court vacated the order on costs imposed by the Single Judge, ultimately disposing of the appeals without costs.