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HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 31.10.2025
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Jagdish Chandra, CGSC
Through: Mr. Utkarsh Kandpal, Adv.
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MADHU JAIN NAVIN CHAWLA, J. (ORAL)
JUDGMENT
1. As the learned counsel for the respondents has entered an appearance in the instant matter, the caveat stands disposed of. CAV 415/2025
2. This petition has been filed by the petitioners, challenging the Order dated 12.03.2025 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Tribunal’) in O.A. No. 2922/2021, titled Laxman Singh & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., whereby the learned Tribunal allowed the O.A. filed by the respondents herein with the following directions: W.P.(C) 16507/2025 & CM APPLs. 67642-44/2025 “13. In view of the same, we hereby are allowing the present Original Application by quashing and setting aside the impugned order in so far as fixing the crucial date of determination as on 20.11.2019 and the crucial date for clarification ought to be from the date of the Notification, ie, 09.04.2009, when the office memorandum became operational. Consequently, the applicants shall be entitled to the benefits with effect from the date of order. The aforesaid exercise shall be carried out within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. All pending applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of. No costs.”
3. The dispute raised by the petitioners is covered by the Judgment of this Court in All India Audit & Accounts Officers Asociation & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., 2013:DHC:4691-DB, wherein this Court, after considering the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 and S.O. 946(E) issued on 09.04.2009, had held as under:
upgradation of the officers in question from Group B to Group B, the CAT order does not mention the particulars of any rule that requires such consultation. Neither has the learned counsel for the Central Government despite an opportunity granted by this Court through its order dated 10.9.2013 placed on record any circular/memorandum that such requires such consultation.
19. Accordingly, the impugned order of the CAT dated 10.12.2012, as also the Office Memoranda of the Central Government dated 11.4.2011, 17.6.2011 and 7.7.2011, which deny the petitioners classification as Group A officers along-with the attendant benefits, are liable to be set aside as unreasonable and arbitrary given the clear textual mandate of the relevant rules. Thus, the classification of Senior Audit and Senior Accounts officers are Group A officers is mandated under the applicable rules. A direction in terms of the claims made by the petitioners is given; effect shall be given by the respondents, to these directions within six weeks. The writ petition is allowed in these terms, without any order as to costs.”
4. The above Judgement has been upheld by the Supreme Court by dismissing the Special Leave Appeal (C) No. 29186/2014 vide Order dated 21.08.2018
5. In view of the above, we do not find any merit in the present petition. The same, along with the pending applications, is accordingly dismissed.
NAVIN CHAWLA, J MADHU JAIN, J OCTOBER 31, 2025/b/P/DG