| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Mhabemo Ovung & Ors. vs. M. Moanungba & Ors. |
| Introduction | The case revolves around the dispute regarding a seniority issue between direct recruits and upgraded officers to the post of Junior Engineer in the Nagaland Public Works Department. |
| Factual Background | Direct recruits were appointed as Junior Engineers in 2003, while Sectional Officers were upgraded to the same post in 2007, leading to a seniority dispute. |
| Legal Issues | Whether upgraded officers could claim seniority over direct recruits based on their service as Sectional Officers. |
| Applicable Law |
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| Analysis | The Court analyzed the relevant rules and facts, determining that the upgraded officers could not claim seniority over those directly recruited earlier. |
| Conclusion | The Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s decision, upholding the 2018 seniority list favoring the direct recruits. |
| Current Scenario | The court stated that direct recruitments maintain seniority, while upgraded officers cannot claim seniority before their official upgrade in 2007. |
CASE SUMMARY – The case states the dispute over the inter-se seniority between directly recruited Junior Engineers and Sectional Officers whose posts were upgraded to Junior Engineers. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the directly recruited Junior Engineers, upholding the seniority list of March 26, 2018, and setting aside the High Court’s order that had incorrectly granted seniority to the upgraded officers from a date before they were officially part of the Junior Engineer cadre.
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
READ MORE – VALIDITY OF TERMINATION UNDER COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT
