In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's interpretation of Rule 19(ii) of the Delhi Police (Promotion and Confirmation) Rules, 1980, regarding seniority of officers promoted out of turn. The Court held that such promotees' seniority shall be reckoned from the year of promotion itself and they must be placed at the bottom of the promotion list for that promotion year, not backdated to when eligibility lists were drawn. This interpretation applies to out-of-turn promotions granted for exceptional circumstances like bravery or gallantry. The appeals challenging this view were dismissed, and the Government was directed to implement the judgment within two months.
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