In Brief
Sujata Kohli, a senior judicial officer, challenged her non-promotion to District and Sessions Judge citing unfair criteria and prejudiced ACR ratings. The Supreme Court dismissed her appeal. It held that the High Court properly considered her case within the selection zone and established promotion criteria—requiring high ACR grades—conforming to Government of India norms were not arbitrary. Though Kohli stood second in her batch with no adverse comments, the Court ruled merit-based comparative selection necessarily means not all eligible officers are promoted. Her ACR gradings were properly communicated and never timely challenged. The Court found no legal prejudice and affirmed that lack of promotion, when based on comparative merit, is not a legal grievance."
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