SRINAGAR: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar, has issued a bailable warrant against the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (R&B), Kashmir at Srinagar, for failing to file a response in a pensionary benefits case despite repeated opportunities.
The warrant, as per the Srinagar-based news-gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, is set at ₹10,000 and is to be executed by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on March 4, 2025, before a Division Bench.
The Tribunal, while exercising its powers under Rule 9 of the Contempt of Courts (CAT) Rules, 1992, sought the Chief Engineer’s personal appearance due to continued ‘non-compliance’ with its orders.
The case, Mohd Sadiq Lone vs. Public Works Department (R&B), pertains to the delayed disbursement of pensionary benefits to the petitioner. As per the Court order, despite multiple adjournments and ample opportunities, the respondents failed to file their response.
As per the CAT order, earlier, on September 26, 2024, Government Advocate (GA) Jeetender Singh sought a final four-week extension to file the reply, which was granted with a warning. However, on December 5, 2024, Singh informed the Tribunal that the Chief Engineer had not received the Court’s orders, leading to further delays. The Tribunal, at that stage, refrained from issuing a warrant but stressed the need for compliance.
When the matter came up for hearing on February 7, 2025, the Tribunal noted that neither the Chief Engineer nor the response had been submitted.
“Today, the matter came for consideration. Yet again, neither the Chief Engineer is present, nor the reply has been filed. It is for this reason that cases get delayed, and courts are piled up with such cases. Delay in filing the replies despite opportunities definitely delays dispensation of justice,” the Tribunal said.
“This Court is left with no option but to seek the presence of the Chief Engineer, R&B Srinagar, by issuance of a bailable warrant to the tune of ₹10,000 to be executed by SSP, Srinagar.”
During the hearing, Government Advocate Jeetender Singh assured the Tribunal that compliance with the Court’s orders would be ensured “in letter and spirit.” However, the Tribunal directed the Chief Engineer, R&B, Srinagar, to appear in person before the Court on March 4, 2025, at 11 AM.
The order stated that this directive was issued “in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and in view of the brazen non-compliance of earlier orders and in order to uphold the rule of law.” (KDC)
