Jaipur CAT bench rebuked railway authorities for distorting a prior Supreme Court undertaking by former SG Ranjit Kumar on reserved category promotions, calling the reinterpretation a deliberate evasion of judicial directive.
The Jaipur bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has condemned efforts by railway officials to circumvent a binding undertaking previously given by former Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar before the Supreme Court. In Puncham Singh v. Union of India, the tribunal found that the Railways were manipulating the interpretation to deny reserved category employees promotions against unreserved vacancies.
The bench, comprising judicial member Ranjana Shahi and administrative member Lok Ranjan, emphasized that the undertaking was clear and non-negotiable, yet certain departments were ‘deliberately’ attempting to reinterpret it through procedural subterfuge. The tribunal stressed that executive authorities cannot override solemn commitments made to the highest court in fair implementation of reservation policies.
"Judicial pronouncements and solemn assurances must be honoured, not twisted to suit administrative convenience."
The ruling reinforces the sanctity of undertakings before constitutional courts and acts as a warning to public authorities engaging in bad faith interpretation of judicial orders.
Citations
- Puncham Singh v. Union of India
