A.A. Sarath et al. v. Commissioner General of Excise et al. – SC (F.R.) Application . 661/2012-2016

In the case between several Excise Guards/Excise Corporals (Petitioners) and the Commissioner General of Excise along with other Excise Department and state officers (Respondents), the court addressed whether promotions to the post of Excise Sergeants were granted pursuant to an unauthorized marking scheme and in excess of the approved quota, thereby violating Article 12(1) of the Constitution. It was held that appointments made beyond the sanctioned quota of 21, when 67 promotions were effected, were unlawful and null and void. The court reaffirmed the principle that all public service promotions must comply with authorized procedures and quotas, upholding both the Rule of Law and constitutional guarantees of equality. Reliance was placed on evidence including 1R7 and relevant legal prece