Warrants against Haryana IAS officer SN Roy in contempt case

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

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Chandigarh, July 6

The UT Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued bailable warrants against senior Haryana IAS officer SN Roy to secure his presence in a contempt case involving the promotion of an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer. The SSP, Chandigarh, has been directed to ensure the execution of the warrants.

The CAT had, on October 21, 2021, directed the state to consider IFS officer G Raman’s case for promotion within six weeks. As the order was not complied with, Raman filed a contempt petition against then Additional Chief Secretary (Forests and Wildlife) SN Roy in January this year. On March 26, Raman claimed after Roy’s transfer to the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, he took away his promotion and disciplinary action files. The Forest Department wrote to Roy to return the files and the tribunal directed him to appear in person to explain his conduct. Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal filed an affidavit, dated April 26, stating the act of holding on to Raman’s file by Roy “prima facie seems an unauthorised act”. The matter was brought to the notice of the higher authorities.

Roy’s predecessor dropped the chargesheet against Raman on March 25, 2021, which was approved by CM Manohar Lal Khattar on April 25. The CAT commented after considering Chief Secretary’s affidavit along with CM’s note and subsequent issues framed by Roy, it appeared that he “has been making attempts to create hindrances in the promotional avenues of the petitioner”.

During a hearing on June 28, Roy didn’t appear before the CAT. The Bench, comprising Judicial Member Suresh Kumar Monga and Administrative Member Rakesh Kumar Gupta, commented it appeared Roy had scant regard for orders passed by it.

“He can even surpass all norms in the propriety of administrative hierarchy as has been rightly pointed by the Chief Secretary,” added the Bench. — TNS