Srinagar, August 8, KDC: Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, has issued bail warrants against Additional Chief Secretary of Water Power Department and four other senior officials for failure to follow the judicial order in a long pending promotion case.
According to the Srinagar-based news assembly agency Kashmir.com (KDC), the tribunal expressed strong displeasure over the operation of the respondents, given that despite repeated opportunities and sufficient time, he neither complied with the Tribunal’s instructions nor challenged the order before the High Court. The order was passed during the hearing of an contempt petition filed in connection with a transfer application registered in 2020.
The bench, which includes member (administrative) Ram Mohan Johri and Member (Judicial) Rajinder Singh Dogra, saw that the respondents had shown the “wilful and intentional” disobedience to the tribunal’s order. It further recorded that the authorities “disregarded the court for this court to fail to appear despite repeated opportunities,” saying that such conduct left the tribunal without any option, but to take strict action.
The order included the nominated officers with Shalen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary (Financial Commissioner), Water Power Department, Vikas Sharma, Chief Engineer; Sunil Gandotra, Superintending Engineer; And Rajesh Sharma, Executive Engineer. Each. It is directed to present a certain bond of 25,000.
The tribunal has directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu to ensure the presence of officers on the next date of hearing for September 8, 2025. The registry has been directed to issue necessary warrants without any delay.
The contempt petition filed by applicant Varun Kumar through advocate Rameshwar Singh Jamwal is related to the non-negotiation of the earlier tribunal order in a case related to promotion. The respondents in the case are being represented by Mr. Rajesh Thapa, learned Additional Advocate General. (KDC)
