CAT - No more Contempt, Revenue Secretary
IN DDT 1960 11 10 2012, it was reported,
Though Mr. RS Gujral is no more the Revenue Secretary, he is facing contempt charge in Supreme Court and a CAT Bench. The Mumbai Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal recently issued a bailable warrant against Gujral to secure his presence in the Tribunal in a case filed by a 79 year old former Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise who believes that he should have got a promotion while in service. In spite of a favourable order from CAT, his deemed promotion did not come and he filed a contempt petition in which the CAT asked the former Revenue Secretary (who is the present expenditure and Finance Secretary) Gujral to appear in person on October 3rd. When he failed to attend the Tribunal on that day, the CAT issued a warrant against him.
Yesterday, the Bombay High Court stayed the warrant. In the meantime, the Government considered the request of the former Deputy Commissioner of Customs and rejected his request, as he was held not eligible for the promotion.
This is how Government deals with litigation - litigation against Government is best avoided.
Now, there is good news for the Revenue Secretary. The Retired Deputy Commissioner has withdrawn his contempt petition against the Revenue Secretary.