Legal
IAS vs IFS: High Court Issues Contempt Notice Against DoPT Secretary
The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a contempt notice to DoPT Secretary Dr. Vivek Joshi following allegations of defying a court order to provide documents critical to IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi’s empanelment. Chaturvedi claims this delay has hindered his ability to serve in the Central government.
The Uttarakhand High Court recently issued a contempt of court notice to Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), following a petition by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi. The case, titled Sanjiv Chaturvedi v. Dr. Vivek Joshi, revolves around Chaturvedi’s claim that Dr. Joshi has intentionally ignored a court order, dated September 3, 2024, which directed the DoPT to provide records essential for Chaturvedi’s empanelment with the Central government.
According to Chaturvedi, despite fulfilling all requirements for empanelment back in January 2020—including 17 years of service, promotion to a senior level, outstanding performance appraisals, and vigilance clearance—he has faced repeated delays in the process. Chaturvedi alleges that the absence of these records has effectively prevented him from challenging his non-empanelment, thus blocking his opportunity to serve the Central government, which he argues is his constitutional right as an All India Services officer.
In his petition, Chaturvedi highlighted his attempts to communicate with Dr. Joshi regarding the court’s order. He claims to have sent a reminder on September 11, 2024, but received no response. Justice Alok Kumar Verma, taking note of the apparent disregard for the court’s directive, issued a contempt notice to Dr. Joshi on October 23 and scheduled the matter for December 19, 2024.
Chaturvedi further emphasized that this delay is not just a bureaucratic issue but a fundamental violation of his rights under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which ensures equal protection of the law. He argues that the DoPT’s reluctance to provide the required documentation directly impacts his career progression and ability to serve the nation at a higher level, as mandated by the All India Services structure.
This case highlights the challenges faced by civil servants in India in obtaining timely clearances and approvals from government departments, particularly when it comes to issues of empanelment and career progression within the Central government.
Follow The420.in on
Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube