Background
The sandalwood smuggler Veerappan was killed in 2004 by the Special Task Force (STF). Following the operation, the government granted one-step accelerated promotions to more than 900 personnel who served in the STF at various levels.
Petition by 16 policemen
Based on that decision, 16 police personnel were promoted as Sub-Inspectors (SIs). However, as they were serving on a temporary basis at the time of promotion, they were reverted in 2009. They challenged the reversion before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, but a single judge dismissed their petitions.
Appeal before the division bench
The 16 policemen then filed appeals before a division bench comprising Justices Sathish Kumar and Jothiraman. The bench observed that the promotions had been wrongly granted by the state government under the 2004 government order.
Court’s direction
Even so, noting that the petitioners had participated in the STF operation by risking their lives, the bench directed that the state should not recover the benefits they received for the period they served as SIs, including all benefits from the date of their promotion.
