Officers Cannot Claim Seniority Based On Unfilled Vacancies From Previous Years, Actual Date Of Promotion Only Valid Criterion For Hierarchy: J&K HC

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court ruled that administrative officers cannot claim seniority based on unfilled vacancies from previous years. The court clarified that the actual date of promotion is the only valid criterion for determining service hierarchy. This decision settles a long-standing seniority dispute among administrative officers. It emphasizes the principle that seniority is based on actual promotion and not on hypothetical vacancies. The ruling provides clarity and finality to the service hierarchy within the administrative cadre.