HC paves way for promotion to IAS
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 11
Just about a month after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) refused to vacate stay on finalisation of a list for promotion from the state civil service to the IAS cadre, the High Court today set aside the order.
The judgment by Justice Mahesh Grover and Justice Rajbir Sehrawat, paving way for promotion to the prestigious IAS, came on a petition filed by Parveen Sethi through counsel Abhinav Gupta.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Rupinder Khosla and Gupta told the Bench that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had, in a communiqué, already made it clear that the posts would lapse in case these remained vacant.
The High Court had, on the previous date of hearing, made it clear that any decision taken by the UPSC would be subject to further orders to be passed by it. The Bench had also directed the state counsel to keep the entire record ready for the court’s perusal on the next date of hearing.
In his petition, Sethi submitted that the impugned order was passed by the CAT’s Chandigarh Bench without impleading and hearing the present petitioner and other affected persons. It had stayed the final selection list to IAS cadre.
Going into the background of the controversy, the petitioner contended that Surinder Singh Dahiya had filed an application against the state and other respondents, challenging the order of the screening committee dated October 13. His grievance was against Asha Sharma, daughter of the Education Minister of Haryana, who was recommended for the IAS cadre.
The petitioner added that he, without inordinate delay, filed an application before CAT for his impleadment being necessary party. Directions were also sought for the vacation of the stay with regard to him. The matter was adjourned by CAT without hearing the petitioner’s plea, Gupta pointed out.
