In a matter dealing with the ‘right to promotion as per seniority’ as a fundamental right, the Bombay High Court has issued notices to CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation) and other parties for not promoting an Assistant Development Officer (ADO) who joined the town planning organisation 18 days late as he had to serve the notice period at his previous organisation. The ADO, Rajendra Sonawane, joined CIDCO in 2016 after securing the fourth rank in its selection examination.

Sonawane, a Kharghar resident, used to work with the State Bank of Mysore (merged with State Bank of India). He has claimed in his civil petition that he has been deprived of a promotion to the post of Development Officer (DO), even as his fellow examinees who scored less have received the promotion. His plea to higher authorities at CIDCO fell on deaf ears, which prompted him to approach the court.