Executive Instructions vs Statutory Rules: A fundamental administrative law principle that is central to the Court’s reasoning

Issue for Consideration: The central issue is the legality and constitutional validity of a retrospective amendment to the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1955. This amendment granted en bloc seniority to in-service candidates (departmental quota) over more meritorious direct recruits selected from the open market in the same recruitment process for the post of Sub-Inspector of Police. The Court had to determine if this preferential treatment, which overturned seniority based on merit, violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.