Article 14 Doesn't Envisage Negative Equality' : Supreme Court Rejects Plea Based On Illegal Promotion Given To Others

The Supreme Court rejected a plea that argued illegal promotions given to others violated Article 14’s guarantee of equality before the law. The petitioner claimed that promotions were given to some individuals without legal sanction, creating unequal treatment. However, the Court emphasized that Article 14 does not mandate negative equality, meaning that individuals cannot claim equality based on illegal or improper acts benefiting others. The Court also clarified that the constitutional guarantee of equality applies to the lawful actions of the state, not to cases where rights were unlawfully granted. This ruling upheld the principle that illegal acts do not create entitlements to similar unlawful benefits for others.