CAT Issues Contempt Notices To Cabinet Secretary, 2 Other Officials On IFS Officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi's Plea

In a significant order passed last week, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench [Circuit Nainital] has issued contempt notices to Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Apurva Chandra, and Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission P Daniel in connection with a case concerning the downgraded appraisal report of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi. The order, passed by Judicial Member Ajay Pratap Singh and Administrative Member Sanjeeva Kumar on the contempt petition plea filed by Chaturvedi, seeks responses of the top bureaucrats of the nation to show cause why contempt proceedings shall not be initiated against them for non-compliance with the orders of the CAT passed in February 2023. The matter will be heard next on July 9. For context, on February 23, 2023, CAT had directed the respondents to provide certain documents to Chaturvedi, which pertained to the outcome and alleged closure of enquiries done by him as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in certain high-profile corruption cases. It is Chaturvedi's case that it was because of his actions in these cases that his Appraisal Report for Financial Year 2015-16 was downgraded, and against which he had filed a Petition in CAT in July 2017. In March 2023 as well, the CAT had ordered the Cabinet Secretary, CVC Secretary and other officers in the matter to supply a copy of all these documents to Chaturvedi. Meanwhile, AIIMS, Delhi, had moved the Uttarakhand High Court against the orders passed by CAT. These orders were stayed by the HC in May, 2023. However, a year later, in May 2024, the HC clarified that the Cabinet Secretary, the Union Health Secretary and the Central Vigilance Commission were not covered by the Stay orders passed in case of AIIMS, which meant that the officers were liable to comply with CAT orders. Thus, Chaturvedi moved the CAT with the instant Contempt Petition, on which notices have been issued.

CAT Issues Contempt Notices To Cabinet Secretary, 2 Other Officials On IFS Officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi's Plea

Sparsh Upadhyay

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