New Delhi, March 18 -- In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has held that inclusion of a government officer in the "Agreed List" cannot be used as a ground to deny promotion, particularly in the absence of any formal disciplinary proceedings or criminal prosecution.

The Court directed the grant of notional promotion along with all consequential benefits to a retired officer of the Indian Ordnance Factory Service.

The Division Bench of Justice Anil Kshetrapal and Justice Amit Mahajan observed that the denial of promotion solely on the basis of the officer's inclusion in the Agreed List was legally untenable.

It reiterated that the law governing promotions is well-settled and limited to specific circumstances laid down by the Su...