Shimla, Sept. 10 -- Himachal Pradesh high court has ruled that pendency of criminal case, wherein charge sheet is yet to be filed, cannot be a ground to deny promotion to the employee exonerated of all charges in departmental inquiry.

This was ruled by Justice Sandeep Sharma while allowing the petition filed by Bir Singh, posted as honorary head constable with Himachal Pradesh police, who had moved the high court after he was denied promotion to the post of honorary ASI on the basis of pending criminal case.

High court directed the police department on September 3, detailed order made available now, "to consider the case of the petitioner (Bir Singh) for promotion to the post of honorary ASI from the due date when his immediate juniors ...