Smt. Nalina. G. a. v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
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Search hooks: Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru; S.G. Pandit J. (author) with K.V. Aravind J.; KSAT / S-KSAT writs W.P. 17562/2025, 26182/2023, 12507/2024, 19017/2024. Subject: inter-se seniority of absorbed (ex-PWD) vs directly recruited Assistant Engineers in RDPR; absorption in public interest (Rule 16(1), KCS (General Recruitment) Rules 1979); Rule 32 KCSRs independent charge; Rule 2 (seniority of absorbed persons per parent-department seniority) and Rule 3 (Repeal and Savings) of Karnataka Panchayat Raj Engineering Rules (Cadre and Recruitment) Rules 2021; Rules 6 and 10 of Karnataka Government Servants' (Seniority) Rules 1957; vested/acquired rights vs retrospective/amendatory State action; finality and cancellation of seniority lists; communication and notification bearing No. GraAaPa 53 JiPaAa 2024 dated 03.06.2025 stayed. Precedents engaged: T.R. Kapur v. State of Haryana (1986 Supp SCC 584); K. Narayanan v. State of Karnataka (1994 Supp(1) SCC 44); Railway Board v. C.R. Rangadhamaiah ((1997) 6 SCC 623); Ramaswamy G.T. v. State of Karnataka (1986(1) KLJ 1). Useful in disputes over seniority between absorbed and direct recruits, protection of promotions from later rule changes, and impermissible review/cancellation of final seniority lists.