Disabled Staff Shift Can’t Upset Cadre Seniority: Bombay High Court Rules Nagpur: The Bombay High Court recently ruled that transferring a disabled employee to a suitable post under Section 47 of the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 1995, cannot disrupt the seniority of existing employees in the same cadre. The court emphasized that the law’s purpose is to protect employment and prevent discrimination, not to alter established hierarchies. This decision was delivered by Justice Mahendra Chandwani, addressing a petition filed by Rameshwar Surve, a zilla parishad employee from Yavatmal. Surve, who was initially appointed as a lab technician in 2002, developed low vision in 2010. In 2016, following court directions, he was absorbed as an extension officer (panchayat) with the same pay scale. However, he was placed at the bottom of the seniority list in the new cadre. When a promotion list for the Maharashtra Vikas Seva Group-B was issued in 2023, his name was excluded, prompting him to file a legal challenge. Surve argued that his earlier service as a lab technician should be counted toward his seniority in the new cadre. He relied on Section 47 of the PwD Act, which mandates protection for employees who acquire disabilities. The court, however, clarified that the provision does not grant a right to promotion or alter seniority structures. Justice Chandwani stated, “The contention that petitioner’s previous service be counted for determining his seniority in the cadre of extension officer (panchayat) cannot be accepted, particularly when other employees affected by this order are not parties to this petition.” The court further noted that Surve himself sought the transfer and accepted the condition of being placed at the tail end of the seniority list.#bombay_high_court #yavatmal #mahendra_chandwani #rameshwar_surve #maharashtra_vikas_seva_group_b
Petrol Pumps Face Surge in Demand Across Vidarbha Districts Panic gripped multiple districts of Vidarbha on Tuesday as long queues formed at petrol pumps in Wardha, Chandrapur, and Yavatmal, despite official assurances of sufficient fuel supplies. The sudden rush of motorists disrupted traffic, caused congestion at fuel stations, and heightened public anxiety. Officials attributed the surge in demand to misinformation circulating on social media, which falsely claimed an impending fuel shortage. In Chandrapur, long queues and crowding at petrol pumps were reported, with officials clarifying that there was no shortage of fuel and that supply chains remained fully operational. The district administration emphasized that the situation was driven by rumors rather than any actual disruption in supply. Similar scenes were observed in Wardha, where petrol pumps in Bajaj Chowk, Aarti Chowk, and Shanti Nagar saw long lines of vehicles, affecting traffic movement. Staff at these stations faced pressure due to the sudden increase in demand, prompting police intervention to manage the situation and ease congestion. Yavatmal city and surrounding areas, including Wani and Pusad, also experienced long queues at fuel stations and gas agencies. Residents and vehicle owners expressed fears of supply disruptions, leading to visible anxiety. The situation has begun to impact the prices of essential commodities, with noticeable hikes in vegetable and edible oil prices. However, Amravati residents reported a more stable scenario, as petrol pumps operated without panic buying. Saurabh Jagtap, secretary of the Amravati District Petrol Dealers Association, confirmed that there was no scarcity of vehicle fuel in the city. In Akola and nearby regions, petrol pumps functioned smoothly with adequate supplies of both petrol and diesel.#yavatmal #amravati_district #wardha #chandrapur #vidarbha_districts
Property dispute can’t be turned into criminal case: Bombay HC Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court ruled that a family property dispute cannot be treated as a criminal case in the absence of evidence of fraud or dishonest intent, quashing ongoing criminal proceedings against a doctor couple from Yavatmal. Justice Pravin Patil dismissed the case pending before a judicial magistrate, stating it stemmed from a civil disagreement among family members rather than a criminal act. A police complaint was filed by the husband’s brother on September 28, 2022, accusing the couple’s mother and other siblings of preparing a false affidavit and fabricating documents to exclude his name from the list of legal heirs of their father. The complaint alleged that the family members had mutated their names in property records, which led to the filing of charges under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to cheating, forgery, and dishonest concealment of property. The court examined the case and noted that the complainant’s father died on January 1, 2014, and that the complainant himself admitted receiving a plot and ₹50,000 from his father before living separately. An application for a legal heir certificate was filed by another brother on July 13, 2020, and the certificate was issued in the names of several family members. Justice Patil observed that the allegations against the petitioners were minimal. The husband’s role was limited to signing an affidavit prepared by his brother, and there were no direct accusations against his wife. The court also noted that the complainant’s name was later added to the property records, and the petitioners had expressed willingness to include him as a legal heir after learning about the dispute.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #doctor_couple #yavatmal #legal_heir_certificate
