Maheshkumar Chandulal Patel vs The State Of Gujarat

The Supreme Court upheld the applicability of Rule 21 of the Gujarat Civil Services (Pay) Rules, 2002, which allows for stepping up the pay of a senior government employee to match that of a junior upon promotion. The Court clarified that this provision is relevant only when the junior's pay is fixed higher due to promotion, and not in cases where the senior was appointed directly while the junior was ad hoc. The Court dismissed the appeals against the High Court's decision, affirming that the principle of stepping up does not apply in this context, thus maintaining the status quo of pay scales among the concerned lecturers.