Irungbam Tombi Singh v. State of Manipur and Another

Page 1

Item Nos. 58 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL

WP(C) No. 602 of 2025 Irungbam Tombi Singh

…Petitioner/s Vrs. State of Manipur & Anr

…Respondent/s

-B E F O R E-HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AHANTHEM BIMOL SINGH

18.12.2025

[1]

Heard Ms. W. Geetarani, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mrs. L. Monomala, learned GA appearing for the respondents.

The present writ petition has been filed seeking the following reliefs:-

(i) to issue a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, orders or quashing impugned order dated 23.07.2020 (Annexure-A/4) & impugned notification dated 03.07.2025 (Annexure-A/8) to the extent of the petitioner and the impugned order dated 23.07.2025 (Annexure-A/10) as arbitrary, malafide, KABORA MBAM SAPANA CHANU Digitally signed by KABORAMBA M SAPANA CHANU Date: 2025.12.19 +05'30'

Page 2

unconstitutional, and violative of the Principles of Natural Justice;

(ii) to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, orders or directions directing the respondents to consider for promotion to the post of UDC in the Directorate of Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution, Manipur retrospectively with effect

27.06.2004 i.e on completion of five years of service on regular basis in order to consider for next promotion to the post of Senior Accountant. [2]

At the outset, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is going to retire from service w.e.f. 31.01.2026 on attaining the age of superannuation. It has also been submitted that the main relief sought for by the petitioner in the present writ petition is for issuing a direction to the respondents to consider his case for promotion to the higher post of Senior Accountant in the Department of CAF & PD, Government of Manipur.

Page 3

[3]

It is the case of the petitioner that under the Recruitment Rules for the post of Senior Accountant, only UDC/Accountant having passed the examination in office procedure and accounts training having 5 (five) years regular service in their respective grade in case of graduate and 8 (eight) years regular service in case of matriculate/HSLC are eligible for promotion. According to the petitioner as he was promoted to the post of UDC only on 23.07.2020, he has not got the qualifying service for promotion to the higher post even if he is otherwise qualified. In order to redress his grievances, the petitioner has already approached the Administrative Secretary (CAF & PD), Government of Manipur by submitting a representation dated 17.10.2025 with a request for considering his case for promotion to the post of Senior Accountant in the Directorate of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, Manipur by relaxing the requirement of 8 (eight) years of regular service.

It has been submitted that the said representation is still pending for consideration and disposal by the authorities.

The learned counsel submitted that as the petitioner is going to retired from service w.e.f. 31.01.2026 on attaining the age

Page 4

of superannuation, a direction may be given to the respondent No. 1 to consider the said representation submitted by the petitioner on its own merit and strictly in terms of the Para 5 of the Departments/Offices under the Government of Manipur (Senior Accountant merged with Accountant in the Departments/Offices under the Government of Manipur carrying pay scale of Rupees 5200-20200+GP Rs. 2800/-) Recruitment Rules, 2016 and to dispose of the said representation as early as possible but before the petitioner retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation i.e., 31.01.2026. [4]

Mrs. L. Monomala, learned GA appearing for the respondents fairly submitted that as the prayer of the petitioner is confined to the consideration and disposal of the representation submitted by him, she has no objection in disposing of this writ petition as prayed for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. [5]

Considering the submission made by the learned counsel appearing for the parties and on examination of the materials available on record, this Court is of the considered view

Page 5

that it will be in the interest of justice to issue the following directions:-

(1) The Administrative Secretary (CAF & PD), Government of Manipur (respondent No. 1) is hereby directed to consider the claim of the petitioner made in his representation dated 17.10.2025 by taking into consideration the power for relaxation as provided at Para 5 of the aforesaid Senior Accountant Rules and to dispose of the same by issuing appropriate orders.

(2) The whole exercise should be completed at the earliest but before the petitioner retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation. [6]

It is made clear that the aforesaid directions have been issued without considering the merit raised in this writ petition. [7]

With the aforesaid directions, the present writ petition is disposed of. [8]

No order as to costs.

JUDGE

Sapana