In Panaji, the Bombay high court at Goa issued a directive for the timely completion of the regular promotion process to fill the vacant principal position at the Shree Ganesh Higher Secondary School in Ganeshpuri-Mapusa. The court emphasized that the interim appointment of the principal cannot be prolonged indefinitely. The court ordered all relevant parties, including government authorities, to promptly convene the departmental promotion committee to facilitate the promotion process within a period of two months. The vacancy arose when the previous principal retired on July 31. Furthermore, the court instructed the school management to consider appointing Shilpa Pai Panandikar as the interim principal, based on seniority, and to make a decision within ten days. Shilpa had petitioned the court to challenge the appointment of Sandeep V Palni as the acting principal. The court stressed the importance of seniority even in the context of interim appointments, unless there are valid reasons to do otherwise. The court dismissed the argument that Palni should be appointed due to his background in science, stating that seniority should take precedence in such matters.The importance of giving proper consideration to seniority in assigning officiating responsibility should not be overlooked. Shilpa, who felt entitled to be granted the officiating role of principal, decided to seek legal action with the support of her legal representative, senior counsel S D Lotlikar. The High Court noted that according to rule 86 of the Goa Education Rules 1986, when a vacancy for the principal position at a higher secondary school occurs, it should be filled through promotion. Furthermore, the rule emphasizes that managements should prioritize selecting the most senior teacher for such promotions.