No. 0110837 Warrant Officer (General Duty) Munna Ram v. Union of India and 2 Ors

JUDGMENT AND ORDER (ORAL)

¶1The petitioner being aggrieved with his supersession in promotion to the rank of Nb.Subedar (GD), by his juniors is before this Court, impugning the order dated 01-05-2025. On a representation being filed, the petitioner was informed that promotion was not granted, as he did not meet the ACR criteria for the DPC years 2024 and 2025, which was below the benchmark for promotion. As the entries in the ACR were not communicated, which would have allowed the petitioner a chance to represent against the same, the petitioner is seeking directions for promotion to the post of Nb.Subedar with effect from the date on which juniors to him in service were promoted.

¶2Dr. N. Mozika, learned DSGI for the respondents submits that it is a fact, as indicated in para 4 reply dated 01-05-2025, that the grading for the period of 2020, made the petitioner ineligible for promotion and that promotion was denied to the petitioner at that point of time, based on extant policy instructions. He however, does not dispute the fact that, the ACR for the said period was not communicated to the petitioner.

¶3I have heard learned counsels for the parties and perused the materials on records. In the DPC proceedings for promotion from Warrant Officer to Nb. Subedar for the year 2024 and 2025, the petitioner was graded at 'Average (02 points) for the year 2020.'

¶4The case on examination is squarely covered by earlier judgments of this Court, wherein directions have been issued for redressal of the petitioner grievances on similar facts, such as that of the petitioner who was never communicated with the adverse entries for the period 2020.

¶5In this view of the matter, writ petition is disposed of with the following directions.

i) The respondent authorities are directed to formally communicate the entries made in the ACR for the period 2020, to enable the petitioner to make a representation, within a period of 1(one) month after receipt of the same thereof.

ii) The representation so presented will thereafter be decided positively within a month thereafter, taking into account the relevant parameters for consideration of promotion.

¶6It is further provided that should the entries be upgraded in consideration of the representation taking into account the petitioner's earlier track record, the respondent authorities shall constitute a review DPC for grant of the consequential reliefs, if any on the basis of the above. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of 5(five) months from the date of receipt of the representation.

¶7With the above directions, this writ petition is allowed to the extent indicated above and is accordingly disposed of.

Judge

Date: 2025.11.04 06:28:40 IST

Serial No. 14 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG WP(C) No. 313 of 2025 Date of Decision: 04.11.2025 No. 0110837 Warrant Officer (General Duty) Munna Ram, S/o Manik Chand Ram, Aged about 54 years, Presently serving at 1st Assam Rifles, C/o 99APO. ...Petitioner -Versus- 1. Union of India represented by The Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi – 110001. 2. The Director General Assam Rifles, Head Quarter Directorate General, Assam Rifles, Shillong -11. 3. The Commandant 1st Assam Rifles, C/o – 99 APO, Pin – 932001. …Respondents Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice H. S. Thangkhiew, Judge Appearance: For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Mr. M. Chanda, Adv. Mr. M.L. Nongpiur, Adv. For the Respondent(s) : Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI with Ms. M. Myrchiang, Adv. i) Whether approved for reporting in Law journals etc.: ii) Whether approved for publication in press: