2003 (10) TMI 677 - SC - Indian Laws

Summary

Issues:
Promotion eligibility criteria based on educational qualifications under Nagaland Engineering Services Rules, 1977; Validity of promotion of a diploma-holder to the post of Additional Chief Engineer; Maintainability of review petition post subsequent events.

Analysis:

1. Promotion Eligibility Criteria:
The case involved a challenge to the promotion of a diploma-holder, respondent No. 2, to the post of Additional Chief Engineer in the State of Nagaland. The promotion was contested by a degree-holder, respondent No. 1, on the grounds that the said post should be filled only by degree-holders as per the service rules. The Single Judge initially accepted this contention, setting aside the promotion. However, the Division Bench allowed the State's appeal, directing the Government to consider promoting diploma-holders based on meritorious service. Subsequently, the Government amended the rules to include exceptionally meritorious diploma-holders for promotion, with retrospective effect from a specified date.

2. Validity of Promotion:
After the Government's decision and the subsequent promotion of respondent No. 2, respondent No. 1 filed a review petition before the Division Bench challenging the earlier judgment. The Division Bench allowed the review petition, leading to the dismissal of the appeal. However, the Supreme Court found that the review petition was not maintainable due to the subsequent events that had already taken place. The Court held that the review petition should not have been entertained as the judgment of the Letters Patent Bench had been acted upon and exhausted, making the review futile.

3. Maintainability of Review Petition:
The Supreme Court, after considering the arguments of both parties, set aside the order and judgment under challenge, allowing the appeals. The Court clarified that while respondent No. 1 could challenge the promotion of respondent No. 2 afresh through a separate petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, the review petition was not maintainable due to the events that had transpired. The Court left all questions of law open to be decided in any future petition challenging the promotion.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court's judgment addressed the issues of promotion eligibility criteria, the validity of the promotion of a diploma-holder, and the maintainability of the review petition in a comprehensive manner, providing clarity on the legal aspects and the subsequent events that affected the case's proceedings.