R. RANJITH SINGH Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave Granted.

(2.) The present appeals are arising out of common judgment dtd. 8/1/2020 passed in Writ Petition No. 25263/2009 and Writ Petition No. 33544/2018 by High Court of Judicature at Madras, which relates to disputes concerning seniority in the cadre of Sub-Inspector of Police in the State of Tamil Nadu.

(3.) The undisputed facts of the case reveal that the appellants before this Court were appointed as Sub-Inspectors of Police through a process of selection, keeping in view Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as "1955 Rules"). The 1955 Rules have been framed in exercise of powers conferred under the Tamil Nadu District Police Act, 1859, Chennai City Police Act, 1888 and Article 309 of the Constitution of India. The recruitment rules provide for various modes of recruitment which includes; (a) recruitment by transfer; (b) direct recruitment; and (c) recruitment by promotion. In the present case, the statutory provisions necessary to decide the controversy involved (relating to direct recruitment and promotion) are reproduced hereunder: