TEJ BAHADUR MANI TRIPATHI Vs. STATE OF UP

JUDGEMENT

(1.) -These five writ petitions raise common questions of law founded on almost similar set of facts in relation to promotion on the post of Assistant Registrar Kanungo/Registrar Kanungo from the post of Lekhpal under the provisions of the U.P. Subordinate Revenue Clerk (Registrar Kanungos and Assistant Registrar Kanungos) Service Rules, 1958 as amended vide notification dated 17.12.1962.

(2.) THE essence of challenge and the prime issue arising out of such a challenge is the determination of the criteria to be adopted for the purpose of promotion as defined in Rule 8 of the aforesaid rules. THE battle lines are drawn between those who claim the predominance of Seniority on one side and merit on the other.

(3.) THE selections in dispute relate to three districts of Kushinagar, Deoria and Basti. THE facts are being narrated in relation to the districtwise dispute as raised in these petitions. Kushinagar :