MEGHANA DILIP TALEKAR Vs. MAHARASHTRA LEGISLATURE SECRETARIAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These petitions involve identical challenge arising in similar factual background. They have been heard together and would be disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) For convenience, we may refer to the facts from Writ Petition No. 2932 of 2018.

(3.) The petitioners have challenged an order dated 20.8.2018 passed by Legislative Council Board (hereinafter referred to as "the Board") which comprises of the Hon'ble Chairman, Maharashtra Legislative Council and Hon'ble Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assmebly i.e Respondent Nos. 2 and 3 respectively. By the said order, the Board accepted representation of respondent No. 4 - Jitendra Bhole dated 19.10.2016 and rejected representations of the petitioners opposing the request of respondent No. 4 to grant him seniority over the petitioners from the inception of their services. The petitioners have made consequential challenge to the revised seniority list dated 5.9.2018 showing respondent No. 4 senior to the petitioners in the cadre of Section Officer. We may record that in Writ Petition (L) No. 3405 of 2015, the petitioner has prayed for certain additional prayers with respect to adverse remarks etc. However, at the outset, we had made it clear that in the present proceedings, we would focus only on legality of the impugned order dated 20.8.2018 passed by the Board and action of the respondents pursuant thereto. Learned counsel for the petitioners had, therefore, asked for and was granted liberty to raise other issues in independent proceedings, if so advised.