The Supreme Court on Tuesday maintained its earlier decision to demote 121 officers of the Punjab Police who were promoted out-of-turn.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim disposed of the case filed by the affected police officers.
During the course of the proceedings, Justice Amir Hani Muslim provided an opportunity to the petitioners to avail the option of early retirement.
However, the petitioners did not opt for the option, prompting the court to withdraw their shoulder promotions.
The 121 officials include nine senior police officials who were recommended for promotion by the Punjab Promotion Board. The officers have been demoted to the same rank on which they were serving at the time of their out-of-turn promotions.
The apex court had declared the out-of-turn promotions as a violation of the Constitution and ruled that no police officer or civil servant was entitled to any such promotions on account of a gallantry award or otherwise.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Justice Hani observed that those who had jumped ahead would have to go back and maintained that the officers should be promoted on their turn and not before.
