JOLLY BATOO Vs. GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petition concerns seniority in the Post Graduate Teacher grade in Lady Irwin Senior Secondary School, a recognised aided School governed by the Delhi School Education Act and the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973. The Petitioner, a direct recruit PGT (Commerce), questions the validity of the seniority list finalised on 22/3/2022 and seeks restoration of the seniority position reflected in a list prepared on 9/10/2020. The challenge is not academic. The Petitioner assails the consequential use of the 2022 seniority list for convening the Departmental Promotion Committee on 28/11/2024 for promotion of Respondent No. 7 (Ms. Sharda Verma) to the post of Vice Principal, and seeks to prevent effect being given to the recommendation made therein.

(2.) The School issued an advertisement in March 2008 inviting applications for various posts, including PGT (Commerce). The Petitioner applied and appeared in the selection process. The record shows that she was interviewed on 12/6/2008. The School issued her an appointment letter on 30/7/2008. The terms required fulfilment of pre-joining formalities including verification and certificates, and stated that the appointment would be subject to approval of the Directorate of Education after joining. She joined as PGT (Commerce) on 13/8/2008.

(3.) Respondent No. 7 entered the School much earlier as TGT on 17/2/1988. A duly constituted Departmental Promotion Committee met on 14/7/2008 and recommended her promotion to PGT (Maths). The School issued an office order recording promotion to the post of PGT (Maths) with effect from 14/7/2008.