Manju Choudhary v. State of Haryana and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Seniority and promotion dispute, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Ritu Bahri J., CWP No.19183 of 2018, decided 03.08.2018. Petitioner Smt. Manju Choudhary (Programme Officer, District Cadre) challenged rejection of her promotion to District Child Welfare Officer (DCWO) and sought seniority above respondents No.3-5. Key facts: joining claimed 02.03.2004, actual joining 22.06.2004; respondents Bhagat Singh (ad hoc since 13.03.2003) and Som Dutt Khundia regularised in pay scale w.e.f. 01.03.2003; tentative joint seniority list circulated 08.01.2009, never finalised; Hqs Cadre and District Cadre separate under Service Rules passed by H.E. the Governor, Haryana; no junior promoted to DCWO; representation rejected pursuant to order dated 30.01.2018 in CWP No.2026 of 2018; writ petition dismissed.
What did the court decide?
Bhagat Singh (respondent No.3) and Som Dutt Khundia (respondent No.4) were already regularised in pay scale w.e.f. 01.03.2003 while the petitioner joined service on 22.06.2004; the petitioner therefore cannot claim seniority over and above them.