R.Dhinakaran v. The State
Case brief
What is this about?
Laches/delay in instituting writ petitions in service matters; entertainment of stale challenges to promotion panels and seniority lists; settled seniority cannot be unsettled after several years; duty to seek redress from competent authority within time frame stipulated in Service Rules and before Court within reasonable time; prejudice to employees promoted during interregnum; Pandora Box concern; vacancy position Direct Recruits vs Promotees 2011-2012; rotation of vacancies; seniority list as on 01.01.2013; promotion to post of Assistant; Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Tamil Nadu; writ appeal under Clause 15 Letters Patent; writ order confirmed; appeal dismissed with no costs; connected miscellaneous petition closed.
What did the court decide?
Once the seniority position has been settled and several persons have been promoted to the Higher Post, courts may not entertain writ petitions for adjudication on merits, as this would cause prejudice to numerous employees who could have been promoted during the interregnum period.