Mhabemo Ovung vs M. Moanungba

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of inter se seniority between directly recruited Junior Engineers and those whose posts were upgraded from Sectional Officer, Grade-I. The Court held that the seniority list finalized on 26.03.2018 was legally impermissible as it assigned seniority to the upgraded incumbents from a date prior to their actual appointment as Junior Engineers, violating the Nagaland Engineering Service Rules, 1997. Consequently, the Court set aside the High Court's judgment and directed the refixation of seniority in accordance with the established rules.