IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED:14.10.2009 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.VENKATARAMAN W.P. Nos. 35716, 36553, 33375, 37136 to 37141 of 2007, 15231, 8417, 3455, 8855, 3905, 10760, 2939 of 2008 & All Connected M.P's 1.R.THIRUNAVUKKARASU 2.M.SUNDARARAJAN 3.C.P.CHITRARASU .. PETITIONERS W.P.NO.35716 OF 2007 1) K.K.CHENNAMALLAN 2) K.GOVINDARAJU ..PETITIONER IN W.P.36553/07 M.SUNDARARAJAN ..PETITIONER IN W.P.NO.33375/07 R.GOVINDASAMY .. PETITIONER IN WP NO.37136/07 SURESHKUMAR .. PETITIONER IN WP NO.37137/07 K.EKAMBARAM .. PETITIONER IN WP NO.37138/07 T.SIVAKUMAR .. PETITIONER IN WP NO.37139/07 A.JAFER ALI .. PETITIONER IN WP NO.37140/07 K.VIJAYAKUMAR .. PETITIONER IN WP NO.37141/07 1 D.CHANDRASEKARAN 2 P.RAJASEKARAN 3. K.N.RAMAMOORTHY 4. R.ARUNAGIRI 5. M.VISWANATHAN 6. S.KANGATHARAN 7. P.SRIKANTH 8. A.ZAKEER 9. R.KARUPPUSAMY 10. R.KANNUSAMY 11 K.RAGU 12 M.IMTHIYAS AHAMED KHAN 13 A.VENKATACHALAM 14 S.VENGATACHALAM 15 P.KRISHNAN 16 M.RAMASAMY 17 K.A.CHANDRA BABU 18 V.G.THANGARASU 19 S.RAJENDRAKUMAR https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 20 N.VELUSAMY 21 S.SENTHIL KUMAR .. PETITIONERS 15231 OF 2008 1) N.BALAMURUGAN 2) M.JEGANATHAN 3) C.MOHAN 4) P.TAMILINIYAN 5) I.ANTONY PRINCE .. PETITIONERSIN W.P.8417 OF 2008 1 P.JAWAHAR 2 D.SELVAKKAN DAVID 3 P.PANDI THURAI .. PETITIONERS IN W.P.3455 OF 2008 1 MURUGESAN 2 SENTHIL KUMAR 3 RAVI 4 DHANRAJ 5 PRABHU 6 ARUMUGAM 7 SIVALINGAM 8 R.KRISHNAN 9 MUTHUSAMY 10 BALAN 11 SAKTHIVEL 12 SARAVANAN ..PETITIONERS IN W.P.8855 OF 2008 1 V.MAHESWARAN 2 K.C. RAMASAMY 3 T.GANAPATHI SURESH 4 P.NATARAJAN 5 S.SAKTHIVEL 6 K.NALLASIVAM ..PETITIONERS IN W.P.3905 OF 2008 1. VAIDYALINGAM 2. NARAYANAN 3. EASWARAN 4. ALAGUMUTHU 5. MARIAPPAN 6. PALANISAMY 7. GOVINDARAJ .. PETITIONERS IN W.P.10740/2008 P.Rajendran ..Petitioner in W.P.No.2939/2008 vs. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Home Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 9. 2.The Director General of Police, Chennai – 4. ... Ist and 2nd Respondent in all the Wps 3. K.Palanisamy 4. R.Balan 5. A.V.Rajaraman 6. I.Balashanmugam 7. T.Elango 8. M.Pandiyan 9. S.Rajendran 10. S.Muthusamy 11. R.Chinnasamy 12. R.Jayanthi 13. K.M.Mayilvahanan 14. S.Shanthi 15. M.Vijayalakshmi 16. P.Moorthy 17. T.Jayachandran 18. M.Manohar 19. K.Thondiraj 20. R.Mohan 21. Ramamoorthy 22, V.Chinnathambi 23. P.Ramakrishnan 24. C.Ramadoss 25. M.Karunanidhi 26. S.P.Murugesan 27. S.Pandiarajan 28. R.Velayutham 29. N.Rathinam 30. R.Elango ...3 to 30 Respondents (RR20 to 30 impleaded as per order dated. 20.1.2009 in M.P.No.1/2009 in W.P.No.35716/07 by SMKJ) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 3) M.Pandian 4) S.Rajendran 5) S.Muthusamy 6) R.Chinnasamy 7) R.Jayanthi 8) K.M.Mayilvahana 9) S.Shanthi 10) M.Vijayalakshmi 11) P.Moorthy 12) T.Jayachandran 13) M.Manohar ...3 to 14 Respondents 14) K.Thondiraj W.P.No.36553 of 2007 and W.P.No.2939 of 2008 The Superintendent of Police Perambalur, Perambalur Dist. ...3rd Respondent in W.P.NO.37136 to 37140/07 The Superintendent of Police Erode, Erode Dist. ...3rd Respondent in W.P.NO.37141/07 and 15231/08, 3905/08 The deputy General of Police Salem range,Salem. ...3rd Respondent in W.P.NO.8855/08 W.P.No.10760/08 The Superintendent of Police Salem, Salem Dist. ...4th Respondent in W.P.NO.8855/08 W.P.No.10760/08 The Inspector General of Police, Technical Services, ...3rd Respondent in Chennai-4 W.P.No.8417/08 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the impugned G.O.Ms.No.1396 dated 03.10.2007 passed by the 1st respondent herein, quash the same consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 herein to promote the petitioners to the next avenue of promotion on par with their seniority fixed in pursuance to the G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ issued by the 1st respondent herein in the place above the names of the respondents 3 to 19 herein. (in W.P.35716 of 2007) Prayer: Article 226 constitution of India writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the impugned G.O.Ms.No. 1396 Home (Pol.I A) Department dated 03.10.2007 passed by the first respondent herein quash the same consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 herein to promote the petitioners to the next avenue of promotion on par with their seniority fixed in pursuant to G.O.Ms.No. 1346 Home (Pol.VIII) Dept. dated 6.12.2004 issued by the first respondent herein in the place above the names of the respondents 3 to 14 herein.(W.P.36553/07, 2939 of 2008) Prayer: under Article 226 constitution of India writ of certiorarified mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 herein to fix the petitioner's correct seniority in the list of seniority for the post of ADSPs and to prepare the panel for the promotion to the post of S.Ps.by considering the petitioner's representations dated 17.6.2006 31.8.2006 and 3.10.2006. (W.P.33375 of 2007) Prayer : Under Article 226 constitution of India writ of certiorari to call for the records connected with the impugned order issued by the 1st respondent vide G.O.MS.1396 Home (Pol.1A) Department, dated 3.10.2007 (WP Nos.37136/07 to 37141/07) Prayer :- Under Article 226 constitution of India Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O.Ms.No.1396 Home [POL.1A] Department, dated 3.10.2007 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents herein to promote the petitioners to the next avenue of promotion on par with seniority fixed in pursuance to the G.O.Ms.No.1252, dated 29.10.2004 issued by the 1st Respondent herein (WP No.15231 of 2008 and WP nO.8417 OF 2008) Prayer :- Under Article 226 constitution of India writ of Certioraified Mandamus Calling for the records pertaining to the impugned G.O.Ms.No.1396 dated 3.10.2007 passed by the 1st respondent herein, quash the same and consequently direct the 1 and 2 respondent to maintain the seniority already fixed as per the proceedings of the 2nd respondent herein in R.C.No.109372/NGB 1 (1)/ 05 dated 23.2.2006 in accordance with para 5 (e) of the G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004 which would enable the petitioners to occupy at the bottom of the existing list of seniority of respective ranks and to extend the benefits originally granted in G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004 issued by the 1st Respondent herein. (W.P.NO.3455 OF 2008) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ Prayer: Under Article 226 constitution of India Writ of Certiorarified mandamus, call for the entire records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent herein in his proceedings G.O.Ms.No.1396 Home (Pol.1A) Department dt 3.10.2007 and the consequential order of reversion passed by the 4th respondent herein in his proceeding District Order No.138/2008 Na.Ka.No.A2/47965/2007 dt 9.2.2008 and quash the same in so far as the petitioners are concerned and consequently direct the respondents to restore the petitioners seniority from the date of their accelerated promotion in so far as the petitioners are concerned. (W.P.8855, 10760 of 2008) Prayer: Under Article 226 constitution of India, writ of certiorarified mandamus Calling for the records pertaining to the impugned G.O.Ms.No.1396 dt 3.10.2007 passed by the 1st respondent herein and the consequential order of reversion dt 2.1.2008 made in D.O.No.10/2008: C.No.A2/26971/2007 passed by the 3rd respondent herein quash the same consequently direct the respondents herein to promote the petitioners to the next avenue of promotion on par with their seniority fixed in pursuance to the G.O.ms.No.1252 dt 29.10.2004 issued by the 1st respondent herein. (w.p.3905 OF 2008) For Petitioners:- Mr.V.Raghavachari for Mr.N.Manoharan ... W.P.No.35716 of 2007 ... W.P.No.8417 of 2008 ... W.P.No.3905 of 2008 W.P.No.36553 of 2007 Mr.T.Ayyasamy ... W.P.No.2939 of 2008 Mr.B.Ganesamoorthy ... W.P.No.3455 of 2008 MR.K. Nagarajan ... W.P.No.8855 of 2008 ... W.P.No.10760 of 2008 Mr.N. Manokaran ... W.P.No.33375 of 2007 MR.C. Ramkumar ... W.P.No.15231 of 2008 Mr.S. Muthalraj ... W.P.No.37136 to 37141/07 Mr.P.S.Raman Advocate General in all the WPs Asst. by Mrs.Pushpamenon M/s.G.Sankaran, Advocate for R8 to 13 and 18 & 19 Mr.A.Umashankar, Advocate for R20 to R30 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ C O M M O N O R D E R The issue involved in these writ petitions are whether the police officials, who have been accorded one stage accelerated promotion by virtue of G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004, for the service rendered by them in the elimination of sandal wood veerappan are eligible for further promotion, they being seniors to the promotional post, even though they were juniors to several persons in the original post which they were holding, before their accelerated promotion. 2. The short facts which led the petitioners to file the above referred writ petitions set out in the affidavit in support of the writ petitions, in nut shell are stated here under:- 2.1. The petitioners were police constables, Sub- Inspectors, Inspector of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police etc., before the Government issued G.O.Ms.No. Home (Pol VIII) department 1252 dated 29.10.2004. By virtue of the said G.O, the petitioners were awarded accelerated promotion for the service rendered by them for the elimination of Sandal Wood Veerappan. One stage accelerated promotion was given to 748 Special Task Force personnel involved in the operation. 2.2. In G.O.Ms.No.468 dated 19.03.1996, certain guidelines have been issued for giving accelerated promotion to the police personnel in various ranks. In compliance with the said Government Order, another proceeding was issued to the Director General of Police, chennai in circular dated 27.01.1997, prescribing format for considering accelerated promotion. Thereafter, G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004 was issued by the first respondent. Clause 5(e) of the said G.O dealt with the fixation of seniority. As per the said clause, the persons who have been accorded accelerated promotion will have to be placed at the bottom of the seniority list of the respective category existing on the date of their joining duty in the new post. 2.3. Later G.O.Ms.No.1396 Home department dated 03.10.2007 was issued in and by which clause 5(e) of G.O.Ms.No.1252 Home department dated 29.10.2004 had been deleted and substituted by a new clause denying accelerated consequential seniority. Thus, challenging the said clause in G.O.Ms.No.1396 dated 03.10.2007 these writ petitions have been filed. 3. Counter affidavit was filed on behalf of the Government wherein the following facts have been set out:- 3.1. The Government in G.O.Ms.No.1252 Home department https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ dated 29.10.2004 have granted accelerated promotion to 748 police personnel and also granted cash award of Rupees three lakhs and a house site to each of them vide G.O.Ms.No.1237 Home department dated 27.10.2004.The Government has also granted accelerated promotion to 159 Special Task Force police personnel and granted cash award of Rupees two lakhs each vide G.O.Ms.No.1346 Home department dated 06.12.2004, including petitioners herein. The Government created supernumerary post in the respective cadres at a huge cost to avoid stagnation of further promotion for the seniors of the accelerated promotees in the lower cadre. 3.2. The qualifications prescribed in the service rules have to be relaxed in favour of the personnel who were involved in the Special Task Force operation including the petitioners as a one time measure so as to accommodate them in the accelerated promotion list. 3.3. The police personnel who were regularly empanelled and seniors to the accelerated promotees in their lower cadre have protested by saying that the accelerated promotees should not get any higher seniority in view of such accelerated promotion. This was considered by the Government and the anomaly was set right by passing Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.1396 Home department dated 03.10.2007. 3.4. There is no special rule for giving consequential seniority to accelerated promotees among police personnel in the Tamil Nadu Police Service or in other statutory rules. 3.5. The seniority of service is fixed as per Rule 35 of the general rules in the Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Services Rules. As per the said Rule, the seniority of a person shall, unless he is reduced to lower rank as punishment should be determined either by rank obtained by him in the list of approved candidates drawn by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission or state appointing authorities as the case may be or the date of appointment. 3.6. Giving consequential seniority to accelerated promotees may lead to a situation of reduction in rank of their seniors in the lower category, for no fault of them. The executive orders will not prevail over statutory rules. There is no provision for giving accelerated consequential seniority in higher stages also. Thus the counter affidavit sought for the dismissal of the writ petition. 4. I have heard at length the learned counsel Mr. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ V.Raghavachari and other counsels appearing for the petitioners and Mr. P.S.Raman, the learned Advocate General appearing for the Government, assisted by Mrs. Pushpa Menon and Mr.R.Muthukumarasamy, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for R3 to R19 in W.P.No.35716 of 2007. 4.1. THE FIRST AND FOREMOST SUBMISSION THAT WAS MADE BY THE LEARNED COUNSEL APPEARING FOR THE PETITIONERS IS (i) The accelerated promotion was granted strictly in compliance with G.O.Ms.No.468 dated 19.03.1996 by constituting board to assess the merit and ability. Further, the number of seniors to be overlooked in the event of grant of accelerated promotion was taken note of strictly as per Government letter dated 27.01.1997. Under such circumstances, it is highly unfair on the part of the first respondent to question the merit and ability, assessed by the committee formed by the first respondent herein at the time of the issuance of G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004. (ii) However, the learned Advocate General submitted that G.O.Ms.No.468 dated 19.03.1996 and the Government letter dated 27.01.1997 contemplates a very detailed procedure to be followed in cases of granting accelerated promotion for outstanding performances either in the field of sports or other professional achievement. There is nothing on record to show that any such individual consideration of every member of Special Task Force team was done. Further, considering the fact that the then Hon'ble Chief Minister made a public announcement on 20.10.2004, granting certain rewards to the members of the Special Task Force including a one stage accelerated promotion and awarding a one stage accelerated promotion for 748 members of the Special Task Force, followed by G.O.Ms.No.1252 dated 29.10.2004, within 10 days of such announcement, will show that no individual appraisals of the case of bravery could have been possible, within the said short span of time. (iii) Before considering the rival contentions raised in this regard, it would be useful to extract G.O.Ms.No.468 (Home Police V) department dated 19.03.1996. " GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU ABSTRACT Police Department – Accelerated Promotion to Police Personnel – Constitution of Board and Prescription of guidelines – Orders – Issued. - - - - - - - - - - - - HOME (POLICE..V) DEPARTMENT G.O.Ms.No. 468 Dated:19.3.1996 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ Read:- From the Additional Director General of Police D.O.Lr.No.26846 /NGB.III(3)/94 dated 29.12.94 and C.No.7402 / NGB.III(3)/95 dated 4.5.95. -------- ORDER:- The Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, while disposing of Original Applications No.1052, 1053 and 1128/94 filed by Thiru. A.Gunasekaran and two others praying for accelerated promotion considering their outstanding performance in sports has ordered as follows: (i) there should be clear cut guidelines and procedure, so that such promotions are not made in an arbitrary manner based on adhoc consideration of some persons who make representations. (ii) there should be a clear system of identifying persons who have shown outstanding ability in sports. (iii) such performance in athletic event, not confined to the Tamil Nadu State Police, but on a wider basis, Regional or All India not only participation, but the level of performance should be taken into account. (iv) such promotion should be on an annual basis, and (v) should be considered by a properly constituted Board. 2. In pursuance of the observation of the Tribunal, the Director General of Police who was requested to send necessary proposal in this regard has sent the following proposal in his letter read above. A Board comprising of following officers may be constituted for considering the cases of accelerated promotions:- DESIGNATION OF THE OFFICER POST 1. Additional Director General of : Chairman Police(Law and Order) 2. Additional Director General of : Member Police(Personnel) 3. Additional Director General of : Member Police(Head-quarters) 4. Inspector General of Police : Member. (Intelligence) The Board, on its formation will examine the matter of awarding accelerated promotions to the Police Personnel. The draft guidelines to be adopted for such elevation both for professional achievement https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ and for achievements in Sports are as follows:- PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: 1. Performance of High Order and Exceptional Personal ability in achieving operational success at Great risk to Personal life. 2. Professional competency of a very high Order in detecting sensational murder, dacoity, robbery and other such cases having ramification in other parts of the Country and its successful prosecution. SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS: 3. Successful performance in the All India Police Duty Meet by securing First Rank in Scientific aids to investigation, Computers, Motor Transport and Revolver and Riffle Shooting. 4. Representing the Country in the International meets. 5. Securing Gold Medal in National/ All India Police meets. 6. Creating new National/ All India Police Meet Records. GENERAL: 7. In any case, the Police Personnel, must have blemish-free professional records. 3. The Director General of Police has also requested that the Board may be ordered to examine all such cases as and when the occasion arises and send their recommendations to the Director General of Police for approval and onward transmission to Government as desired. Further the Director General of Police, Madras may be empowered to consider the recommendations of the Board and to order for accelerated promotions in the following categories: i)Grade-II to Grade-I ii)Grade-I to Head Constable and iii)Head Constable/Havildar to Sub-Inspector/ Sub-Inspector(Armed Reserve)/Sub-Inspector Tamil Nadu Special Police. Beyond Sub-Inspector of Police, Government may retain their powers to order for the accelerated promotions. 4. The Government have carefully examined the proposal of https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ the Director General of Police in the light of orders of Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal and pass the following orders. (I) A Board for accelerated promotion may be constituted with the following Officers; (1)The Secretary to Government, : Chairman Home Department Madras – 9. (2)The Secretary to Government, : Member. Public Department Madras – 9. (3)The Secretary to Government, : Member. Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, Madras – 9. (4)The Director General of Police, : Member. Madras – 2. (5)The Deputy Secretary/ : Secretary to Joint Secretary/ Special Secretary the Board. to Government (Police Services) Home Department, Madras – 9. (6)The Inspector General of Police, : Member. (Intelligence) (II) The draft guidelines for such elevation both for Professional achievements and for achievements in sports are prescribed below:- PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:- 1.Performance of High Order and Exceptional Personal ability in achieving Operational success at Great risk to personal life. 2.Professional competency of a very high order in detecting sensational murder, dacoity, robbery and other such cases having ramification in other parts of the county and its successful prosecution. SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS:- 3.Successful performance in the All India Police Duty meet by securing First Rank in scientific aids to investigation, computers, Motor Transport and Revolver and Rifle Shooting. 4.Representing the country in the International meets. 5.Securing Gold Medal in National/ All India Police Meets. 6.Creating new National/All India Police Meet Records. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ GENERAL: 7.In any case, the Police Personnel must have blemish-free- professional record. (III) The Accelerated promotion for sports Achievements shall be considered on an Annual basis and for professional Achievements cases shall be considered as and when occasion arises. (IV) The Director General of Police, Madras – 2. is requested to send necessary proposals to the Secretary of the Board(Deputy Secretary/ Joint Secretary/ Special Secretary to Government (Police Services) Home Department, Madras.9) and the Secretary of the Board shall submit them before the Board for its consideration and decision. " (iv) Later as per Government letter dated 27.01.1997, the Government of Tamil Nadu addressed a communication to Director General of Police to send proposals for accelerated promotion in proforma setting out the details required with relevant records for examination of the Government. It would be useful to extract the said letter and the same is reproduced here under:- "I am directed to state that as per the orders issued in G.O.Ms.No.468, Home, dated 19.3.96 the Board of accelerated promotion will consider the cases for accelerated promotion for both professional achievements and for achievements in sports. For achievements in sports, the Board shall consider the cases on an annual basis and for professional achievements the cases shall be considered as and when occasion arises. As such, the cases for accelerated promotion for professional achievements have to be placed before the Board with full details for its consideration and decision. 2.) In this connection, I am to point out that as accelerated promotion cannot be treated as a routine affair, the proposals have to be placed before the Board with full details and justification. The proposals received by the Government contain only the names of the Police Officers who were recommended for accelerated promotion and promotion from which rank to which higher rank. As such, I am to request you to send the proposals for accelerated promotion in a Proforma (standard format) containing the following details along with relevant records for examinations of the Government. i). Details regarding the incident/encounter/adventure/event, https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ ii). The No. Of Police Personnel involved in the concerned Police team. iii). The role played by each individual duly indicating the performance of High Order and exceptional personal ability in achieving operational success at great risk to personal life done by the individual during the adventure/event. iv). Whether all the police personnel in the team should be given accelerated promotion. It should be based on one's role in the action and the nature of the risk taken by the individual. Being a mere member in the team will not give any right to the officer for accelerated promotion. v). Whether other incentives such as each reward or advance increments/advancing seniority will be sufficient. vi). The service record of the individual and defaulter sheet (as per the said instructions the Police personnel must have blemish free professional record). Vii). The relevant rules need to be relaxed in favour of the individual. Viii). Service particulars of the individual. ix). Justification for accelerated promotion. x). The No. Of seniors to be over looked if accelerated promotion is to be given to the individual. " (v) It is seen from G.O.Ms.No.1252 Home department dated 29.10.2004, that after the announcement made by the then Hon'ble Chief Minister in the press meet held on 19.10.2004, announcing among others that one stage accelerated promotion will be given to all the 752 Special Task Force personnel involved in the operation, the Director General of Police by his communication dated 22.10.2004 and 25.10.2004 has sent proposal for granting accelerated promotion to them. The proposal seems to have been placed before the accelerated promotion board as per the G.O.Ms.No.1252 in its meeting held on 25.10.2004. Thereafter, the Government after examining the proposal of the Director General of Police and the recommendation of the accelerated promotion board has accorded One stage accelerated promotion for Special Task Force personnel. The portion of the said Government G.O.Ms.No.1252 is usefully extracted here under:- " Home (Pol.VIII) Department G.O.(Ms.No.1252 Dated 29.10.2004 Read: 1. G.O.Ms.No.468 Home (Pol.V) Department dated 19.03.1996 2. From the Director General of Police, Chennai Letter Rc.No.22047/ NGB vii (2) / 2004, dated 22.10.2004 and 25.10.2004 3. G.O.Ms.No.1247, Home (Pol.V) Department dated https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 28.10.2004. -000- ORDER : In a daring and intrepid operation, the Special Task Force headed by Thiru.K.Vijayakumar, IPS, Additional Director General of Police has shot dead the Forest brigand, bandit, murderer and dacoit Veerappan along with his three gang members on 18.10.2004. This sterling achievement is the result of sustained efforts of Special Task Force officers and men who have indeed sacrificed their safety and the comfort of their home, spending years away from their families and leading dangerous life in the thick forest, braving hardship sickness and threat to their precious lives. 2. In recognition of their courage and heroic achievement the Honourable Chief Minister in the Press Meet held on 19.10.2004 has announced among others that "One Stage accelerated promotion" will be given to all the 752 Special Task Force personnel involved in the operation. 3. In pursuance to the above announcement the Director General of Police has sent proposal for granting accelerated promotion to the Special Task Force personnel. 4. In the G.O. first read above, Government have prescribed guidelines for granting accelerated promotion. Accordingly the proposal of granting accelerated promotion was placed before the Accelerated Promotion Board in its meeting held on 25.10.2004. 5. Government after careful examination of the proposals of the Director General of Police and the recommendation of the Accelerated Promotion Board pass the following orders:- " CONCLUSION OVER THE FIRST POINT : (Vi) In G.O.Ms.No.1252 Home department dated 29.10.2004, there is a reference about G.O.Ms.No.468