S PRABAKARAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsels appearing for the respective parties.

(2.) The Hon'ble Division Bench, by order dated 03.08.2017 in W.A.Nos.1092 and 1103 of 2016, directed the Registry to list the matter before the single Judge on 10.08.2017 with two other directions, one to dispose of the matter on merits within a period of fifteen days after hearing the parties and all the contentions to be urged by the parties; and another to maintain staus quo till the matter is decided by the single Judge and the relevant portion of rthe order is extracted hereunder:

(3.) Originally, G.O.Ms.No.1237 Home [Pol.VIII] Department, dated 27.10.2004 was issued in recognising and appreciating the Police Officers/Policemen for their bravery, heroic action and gallantry for conducting a daring and intrepid operation against the forest brigand Veerappan. In the said operation, the forest brigand Veerappan and his three associates were shot dead and after a fierce encounter, the operation came to an end. Therefore, the Government thought fit to announce a cash reward of Rs.3,00,000/- to each of the personnel deployed under the Special Task Force. Finally, the Government have sanctioned Rs.22.71crores towards payment of cash award of Rs.3,00,000/- each to all the 757 Police Officers/Policemen who were part of the Special Task Force. Among other benefits, namely, cash award, one stage accelerated promotion was also given to them. Accordingly, they were given one stage accelerated promotion from their respective posts vide G.O.Ms.No.1252 Home [Pol.VIII] Department dated 29.10.2004. The said G.O. makes it clear that one stage accelerated promotion were given to all the 752 Special Task Force personnel involved in the operation and the relevant points in paragraph No.5 also given under :