Madras HC dismisses writ petitions in the service matters

The Madras High Court dismissed a batch of writ petitions, challenging a Government Order (GO) issued by the Tamil Nadu Government that seeks denial of consequential seniority to police officials who were given out-of-turn promotion for gallantry service. 



The police officials Sitrarasu and 11 others filed a writ petition, challenging the GO, issued on October 3, 2007. 



The GO has its origins in the death of forest brigand Veerappan in 2004. 



After Veerappan was gunned down, the government issued two GOs and gave accelerated promotions to 907 special task force personnel involved in the operation. 



However, the DMK regime, citing disquiet in a section of police force, came out with a GO on October 3, 2007, clarifying that the accelerated promotion was a one-time measure and the beneficiaries could not claim any consequential seniority. 



In effect, the GO meant that the promoted officials must wait for their original batch mates to catch up with them in the seniority ladder before being considered for further promotions. 



Though the GO itself is mired in litigation, authorities have sought to deny promotion to the petitioners. 



Dismissing the petitions, Justice K Venkatraman said the accelerated promotion was a one-time measure and the beneficiaries could not claim any consequential seniority. 



Earlier, the government ignored all the norms laid down for promotion and gave out of turn promotion to the petitioners, the judge observed and dismissed the petitions. 



The judge also upheld the GO.