Govardhan Mahawar vs SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY on 2 November 2026

1. Heard Mr. K Siva Reddy, learned counsel for the applicant.

2. The applicant was directly recruited as Health & Malaria Inspector Grade- II on 20.06.2009 and was promoted as Grade-I on 25.01.2019, though he claims entitlement to promotion with effect from 01.11.2013. During the cadre restructuring, the respondents initially proposed promotion to 27 posts with effect from 01.11.2013, but the applicant’s name was deleted from the final list dated 13.01.2015, allegedly on the ground of a pending vigilance case, though no charge memo was pending against him as on the crucial date.

3. A major penalty charge memo was subsequently issued on 24.03.2015, resulting in a minor penalty by order dated 28.02.2017. The applicant thereafter repeatedly sought retrospective promotion from 01.11.2013 and was eventually promoted on 25.01.2019.

4. The applicant relies on the seniority lists and contends that he was senior to several employees who were promoted from 01.11.2013. He further submits that B.K. Suresh, who was promoted along with him, subsequently obtained revision of his seniority from 25.01.2019 to 01.11.2013, despite his O.A.No.739/2016 having been dismissed by the Tribunal on 10.03.2025. The applicant claims that he was similarly situated, as no charge memo was pending against him on the crucial date, and therefore the same benefit ought to have been extended to him.

5. The applicant contends that rejection of his claim by the impugned order dated 14.05.2026, while granting similar relief to B.K. Suresh, is arbitrary, discriminatory and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. Hence, the present O.A.

6. Mr. Madhusudan Reddy, learned Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents.

7. List the case on 04.01.2027 before the Registrar’s Court for completion of pleadings.

Varun Sindhu Kul Kaumudi Member (A) MR MANISH GARG Member (J) Prachi Bhaskar ( court master )